Weekly Tip - Recurring IRS Phone Scam

We don't think anyone needs to be reminded it is tax season, but we do want to make you aware of yet another phishing scam by phone popping up again in California - the IRS Scam.  A few years ago, a City employee actually received a call on a non-published line from a female caller claiming to be from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).  The caller appeared not to know she had reached a City line and tried to solicit personal information from the employee.  The caller claimed there was a problem with the employee's taxes and wished to confirm her social security number and other information.  The caller hung up when the employee politely told her that her taxes had already been filed and the refund received.

Phishing scams by telephone are nothing new.  Thieves are always looking for a new or different way to obtain personal information from people and then use it to gain fraudulent credit, commit theft, and other crimes.  Many calls, like this one, are done randomly and the victim is not specifically targeted.

The IRS offers some good advice and information on scams on the IRS website.  Take a look at the their video below for additional information on this recurring scam.  And, remember, the IRS will never call you seeking personal information over the phone!