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irs withholds refund until telephone callback to prove identity?
e | 6-10-2017 | me

Posted on 06/10/2017 7:45:56 PM PDT by SteveH

something or someone claiming to be an austin, texas branch of the irs recently (~3 weeks ago) sent me a letter.

i should receive a refund from the irs due to overpayment by several thousand dollars.

however, according to the irs, it is suspicious that i am really me. so it wants me to call them up on an 800 number, with two past 1040s and 22s in hand, so i can prove to them that i am me before they will believe the 1040 and send me my refund.

they will allow a lawyer to be present ir i wish.

does this sound legit? or smelly, as in someone is attempting to steal my identity and/or irs refund? i have never been contacted in this manner before.


TOPICS: Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: identitytheft; irs; irsscam; taxrefund
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To: SteveH

Did the voice on the other end of the line sound like Lois Lerner? Scam.


41 posted on 06/10/2017 9:10:47 PM PDT by OrioleFan (Republicans believe every day is July 4th, Democrats believe every day is April 15th.)
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To: DoodleBob

I would tell them my SSN was the one Barky 0bama uses. That should get the irs and SS crarling all over them.


42 posted on 06/10/2017 9:14:09 PM PDT by MtnClimber (For photos of Colorado scenery and wildlife, click on my screen name for my FR home page.)
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To: SteveH

Sounds like a scam to get your Social Security number or your refund..... or both.


43 posted on 06/10/2017 9:23:01 PM PDT by july4thfreedomfoundation ("You can't fix America without pissing off the people who broke it".....Bill Mitchell)
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To: Impala64ssa

“For a good laugh check these out”

I watched about five of them. I couldn’t stop laughing!
They were hilarious! Thanks!


44 posted on 06/10/2017 9:39:03 PM PDT by toldyou (Even if the voices aren't real, they have some pretty good ideas.)
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To: SteveH

Please read this:

http://clark.com/scams-rip-offs/warning-new-irs-scam-email-paper-mail/


45 posted on 06/10/2017 9:40:57 PM PDT by toldyou (Even if the voices aren't real, they have some pretty good ideas.)
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To: SteveH

Funny, I also have some money for you. All you have to do is PM me with your debit/credit card # and I will get it to you post haste!


46 posted on 06/10/2017 9:50:31 PM PDT by Az Joe (Gloria in excelsis Deo)
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To: madison10

The IRS and I came to a mutual understanding 15 years ago. They don’t bother me; and, in return, I don’t bother them.


47 posted on 06/10/2017 10:01:09 PM PDT by WASCWatch
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To: SteveH

The IRS does have field offices. If one is close enough, just go there.


48 posted on 06/10/2017 10:14:31 PM PDT by BobL (In Honor of the NeverTrumpers, I declare myself as FR's first 'Imitation NeverTrumper')
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To: SteveH

They never communicate by phone unless you initiate the convo.

Tell them you’ve decided to go ahead and apply the overpayment to next year’s return. Then shut up.

Do not under any conditions say your SS# nor confirm your address. And try not to say “yes” to any question.


49 posted on 06/10/2017 10:56:37 PM PDT by Attention Surplus Disorder (Apoplectic is where we want them!)
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To: MtnClimber

I recently had a phone call from one that said he was from the IRS and told me they were about to close my bank accounts for tax that I owed. I was somewhat bored that day and keep him on the line for about 15 minutes. I agreed with him that all of this was terrible and how could I prevent this. The conversation always went back to my bank account numbers and credit card numbers so I could pay off the debt at a very reduced rate. I then feigned stupidity and asked him questions. After about 15 minutes I became bored and just told him to Fu-k off.

I rather enjoyed the call.


50 posted on 06/10/2017 11:07:29 PM PDT by cpdiii ( Deckhand, Roughneck, Mud Man, Geologist, Pilot, Pharmacist. CONSTITUTUTION IS WORTH DYING FOR!)
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To: BobL

I did that a few months ago for trying to work out my estimated tax withholding. I got blocked outside (in the rain) and was told to call my question to the IRS phone center. It turned out that my local center totally stopped handling problems in person.


51 posted on 06/11/2017 1:49:04 AM PDT by SteveH
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To: OrioleFan

again, it was not a phone call. it was a letter.

the letter was allegedly from an austin office which is a different state from me. i have never received anything before from an austin office. an earlier response gave a link to a scam which uses regular US mail with an alleged austin return address. The letter looks real but the scam description indicates that they can now send real-looking letters.


52 posted on 06/11/2017 1:51:23 AM PDT by SteveH
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To: SteveH
so it wants me to call them up on an 800 number, with two past 1040s and 22s in hand, so i can prove to them that i am me before they will believe the 1040 and send me my refund.

Do you really need to ask if this is a scam? I'd contact the IRS and open a fraud investigation.

53 posted on 06/11/2017 4:25:23 AM PDT by Yo-Yo (Is the /sarc tag really necessary?)
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To: SteveH

Phishing trip....


54 posted on 06/11/2017 4:26:36 AM PDT by trebb (Where in the the hell has my country gone?)
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To: SteveH

I get a couple of those calls each year during tax season. They are always automated calls, never a live person on the other end. They always say there is some problem with my tax return, give me a “case number”, and tell me that if I don’t call them back immediately I will be fined and face criminal prosecution. So far, I’m still on the loose. I also have a friend who has received several of those calls, but she’s not intimidated by them - she works for the IRS.


55 posted on 06/11/2017 4:43:04 AM PDT by GreenHornet
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To: SteveH

You should respond right after responding to the email from the Nigerien Prince who will send you money if you send him money first.


56 posted on 06/11/2017 5:40:18 AM PDT by minnesota_bound
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To: toldyou

That’s great. I guess the only way to double check is to call the IRS, but do not expect an answer. They usually pass the call on until you get a dead line. Been there.


57 posted on 06/11/2017 5:40:39 AM PDT by madison10
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To: SteveH

SCAMSCAMSCAMSCAMSCAM...


58 posted on 06/11/2017 1:43:17 PM PDT by JimRed ( TERM LIMITS, NOW! Building the Wall! TRUTH is the new HATE SPEECH.)
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To: Raycpa; SteveH

Scam.

Do NOT call them.

Do not contact them.

Contact the local FBI and IRS office and initiate an action to at least stop these scammers.

“They” might look legitimate but they ARE not.

Refund or not, if they are truly the IRS they ALREADY have your mailing address, and if you filed electronically, they have your banking info as well.

Do not call, do not provide any info, turn them over to the IRS/FBI.


59 posted on 06/11/2017 5:12:10 PM PDT by Hulka
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