888-834-1048 Tax Abatement and Relief Office Scam

The Scam Call

“Hi, this is Laura Christie. .. I'm calling from the review desk with the tax mediation and abatement office. I'm reaching out because your file has now moved into a final stage review, and it's still showing items that need to be handled right away.

At this point, accounts that remain open can begin moving forward automatically, which may limit what options are still available to you. Before that happens, we're making a direct line available so you can connect immediately and get clear confirmation of your current status.

This only takes a couple of minutes, but it's important it's handled today. Please call me back now at 888-834-1048. If you receive this in error, please call back and press 2 to be removed”

Indicators of a Scam

• Unsolicited Contact: The IRS initiates contact via postal mail, not by phone.
• Threatening Language: Scammers often threaten immediate arrest, lawsuits, or license revocation.
• Immediate Payment Demands: They may demand payment via prepaid debit cards, gift cards, or wire transfers.
• "New" Relief Programs: Claims about "new" tax abatement or "non-collectible status" programs designed to erase debt are fraudulent marketing tactics.

If You Receive This Call

• Hang Up: Do not engage or confirm any information.
• Report the Call: Report the number to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) at 800-366-4484 or on their IRS Impersonation Scam Reporting webpage.
• Report to IRS: Email the number and details to phishing@irs.gov with the subject "IRS Phone Scam".
• Verify Legitimacy: If you genuinely believe you owe taxes, contact the IRS directly at 800-829-1040.
• Private Collection Agency: If the IRS assigns your account to a private collection agency (like this one), you will receive letters from both the IRS and the agency beforehand, which you can use to verify their identity.