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By: FEDweek StaffTwo agencies whose names have long been used in impersonation scams, the SSA and the IRS, say that the problem persists despite efforts to shut down such scams and warn the public against them—and that in some ways the problem is getting worse.
In separate recent announcements, the agencies have again said that many people still are falling victim to emails or callers pretending to be agency employees either demanding money or personal information or both.
“Taxpayers saw many more phishing scams in 2018 as the IRS recorded a 60 percent increase in bogus email schemes that seek to steal money or tax data. These schemes can endanger a taxpayer’s financial and tax data, allowing identity thieves a chance to try stealing a tax refund,” said the IRS. “The IRS doesn’t initiate spontaneous contact with taxpayers by email to request personal or financial information. This includes asking for information via text messages and social media channels. The IRS does not call taxpayers with aggressive threats of lawsuits or arrests.”
Complaints about phone scams also are increasing, it said. “One of the most common phone scams is the caller pretending to be from the IRS and threatening the taxpayer with a lawsuit or with arrest if payment is not made immediately, usually through a debit card.”
The SSA similarly recently again issued a warning about “telephone impersonation schemes that exploit the Social Security Administration’s reputation and authority.”
“Recent reports have indicated that unknown callers are using increasingly threatening language in these calls. The callers state, due to improper or illegal activity with a citizen’s Social Security number or account, a citizen will be arrested or face other legal action if they fail to call a provided phone number to address the issue,” it said. “SSA employees do contact citizens, generally those who have ongoing business with SSA, by telephone for customer-service purposes. However, SSA employees will never threaten you for information; they will not state that you face potential arrest or other legal action if you fail to provide information.”
