Greg's Corner

Tax debt relief scams return

By Greg Collier

Tax debt relief scams are on the rise, targeting vulnerable individuals with promises of settling tax obligations for mere pennies on the dollar. These scammers are exploiting the reputation of legitimate businesses to deceive people into handing over their money.

One potential victim from Tennessee, for instance, was sitting on her front porch when she received an unsolicited call. Despite her poor vision, she quickly recognized the call for what it was, a scam. The caller claimed to be from the IRS Tax Relief Program. She knew better than to fall for the ploy and promptly hung up.

Thanks to information from trustworthy sources, she knew that the IRS and Social Security never make unsolicited calls. They communicate through letters. This knowledge protected her from becoming a victim.

It’s crucial to understand that the IRS will never call you out of the blue. There is no IRS Tax Relief Program that will contact you by phone. Scammers are simply dialing random numbers, hoping to find someone with a tax issue.

To avoid tax debt relief scams, remember these key points. The IRS will never call you unsolicited. They only send letters. If you receive a letter from the IRS, attempt to resolve the issue directly with the agency. The IRS may offer a monthly payment plan or a way to pay less than you owe, but you must engage with them directly. Do not trust any company that claims you have ‘qualified’ or are ‘eligible’ for an IRS program. Only the IRS can make such determinations.

By staying informed and cautious, you can protect yourself and your savings from these fraudulent schemes.