Online Threat Alerts (OTA) - Alerting you to scams and frauds.

Tax Resolution Assistance Agency Scam

Tax resolution scams involve fraudulent companies posing as IRS representatives or "tax experts" who promise to settle tax debts for "pennies on the dollar". They often use high-pressure tactics, demanding large upfront fees for services they do not provide, stealing personal information, or failing to submit necessary paperwork.

Tax Resolution Scam

  • Unsolicited Contact: Scammers call, email, or text, claiming you owe back taxes and demand immediate action.
  • "Pennies on the Dollar" Promises: Claiming they can drastically reduce tax debt for everyone, which is rarely true.
  • Immediate Upfront Fees: Demanding payment before any work is done.
  • Impersonation: Using fake names like “Tax Resolution Oversight Department”.
  • Threats: Threatening immediate arrest or lawsuits.

Protect Yourself

  • IRS Contacts by Mail: The IRS sends written notifications first, never initial calls.
  • Do Not Engage: Hang up immediately on unsolicited calls. Do not press buttons, even if told it will remove you from their list.
  • Verify Independently: If worried, call the IRS directly at 800-829-1040, using the number from the official IRS website.
  • Report Scams: Report fraudulent calls to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) or the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
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