A Common Telephone Scam

Please consider sharing these points with parents and grandparents as they are usually the target. This scam might seem obvious for some, but we wanted to spread the message to make everyone aware. Recently two clients and two employees of Legacy Planning Group have received misleading calls. This scam has usually targeted people on above age 60, but two of the four calls were targeting younger folks.
The callers have been saying they are from the Treasury Department and you owe a tax bill from 2013 (or 2012, 2011, etc.) They say that you owe taxes immediately and you must pay or risk being arrested soon. They refer to tax years that aren’t fresh and they use urgency to convince people to pay. The only reason they call people is because some people are falling for the scam!
Here are several key points to share with parents and grandparents to help them recognize the scam.

1. The IRS (or Treasury) doesn’t call you. They send letters. If anyone ever calls you then get a number and call them back to see if it’s legitimate.
2. Urgency is a sales tactic. If someone ever pressures you into paying for something, consider getting a second opinion/quote. It’s a worse and worse deal as the pressure rises! Health decisions might require great urgency. Money decisions require thoughtful contemplation.
3. CPA’s should always be contacted if there is ever any question about past taxes.
4. If you ever feel anxious from someone calling you or showing up at your door, call a friend or family member and talk with them.