sensitive information over the phone ….
sensitive information over the phone unless they are positive they know the caller is legitimate. When in doubt, hang up. Here are some telltale signs of this scam. The IRS and its authorized private collection agencies will never:
• Call to demand immediate payment using a specific payment method such as a prepaid debit card, iTunes gift card or wire transfer. The IRS does not use these methods for tax payments.
• Ask a taxpayer to make a payment to a person or organization other than the U.S. Treasury.
• Threaten to immediately bring in local police or other lawenforcement groups to have the taxpayer arrested for not paying.
• Demand taxes be paid without giving the taxpayer the opportunity to question or appeal the amount owed.
Taxpayers who don’t owe taxes and have no reason to think they do should:
• Report the caller ID and callback number to the IRS by sending it to phishing@irs.gov. The taxpayer should write “IRS Phone Scam” in the subject line.
Taxpayers who owe taxes or think they do should:
• View tax account information online at IRS.gov to see the actual amount owed and review their payment options.
• Call the number on the billing notice.
• Call the IRS at 800-829-1040.
—from the Internal Revenue Service
Romance Scam
Millions of Americans use dating sites, social networking sites and chat rooms to meet people.
And many forge successful relationships. But scammers also use these sites to meet potential victims.
They create fake profiles to build online relationships and eventually convince people to send money in the name of love. Some even make wedding plans before disappearing with the money.
An online love interest who asks for money is almost certainly a scam artist. Romance scams operating from abroad often use U.S.-based money mules to receive victim payments and transmit proceeds to perpetrators.
Sometimes, perpetrators of romance scams convince victims to serve as money mules, receiving illegal proceeds of crime and forwarding those proceeds to perpetrators.
For example, romance scam victims often are induced to receive payments and/or goods such as technology equipment procured through fraud and to forward those payments and goods directly or indirectly to perpetrators.
—from the Federal Trade Commission
