By NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Internal Revenue Service wants to make sure that even as the government tries to help out with COVID-19, that doesn't become an opportunity for scammers to take money that should be yours.
"We're taking a little bit different view of it," said spokesperson Michael Devine. "Phishing is the primary means that criminals are using. That's been at the top of our list for several years. These are fake emails that show up and try to trick you into giving information and then there's fake charities. There are threatening phone calls that you get, but the key to almost all of these scams are they're unexpected and they're threatening."
The key to keeping your money safe is to take a breath and not respond right away.
"You don't get a call from the IRS that you don't know about, threatening you to put you in jail or take away your business license or deport you," Devine said. "That's not how the IRS works. If you filed your tax return and you got your refund, the chances of you getting a call from the IRS are nonexistent."
If you do owe money to anyone, including the IRS, you should make the call to them, then you know that is who you are talking to and that the number hasn't been spoofed to fool you.
"Not just for the IRS, but for anything, whether its the department of revenue, whether it's the gas company or the water company," Devine said. "If you get something that you didn't expect and you don't really understand, don't just respond to it. Stop. If you're a senior citizen and you're not really comfortable with technology, call somebody. Call one of the kids or call a friend or you look up the number and you call that organization. For the IRS, it's really simple. Our number hasn't changed in years.
That number is (800) 829-1040.