In recent years the number of scams arising during tax season has done nothing but rise as illicit organizations strong arm people, usually those that are low income or elderly, into making “payments” on fake debts. But recently, a new trend has arisen, prompting a warning from the Treasury Inspector General, warning people of callers requesting tax payments be made using gift cards or money wiring services. For example, some con artist have requested that payment be made using something like an iTunes gift card or other devise that is virtually untraceable once sent away. Also, the Inspector General stressed that the IRS will never require that payment be made using a wire service such as Western Union or directly into a bank account. The IRS always uses letters to forewarn a taxpayer of potential problems with multiple copies being sent long before any drastic action, such as a levy, is taken. So if someone comes calling saying there is a tax problem, politely decline to speak with them and check your mail for notices or contact the IRS directly in order to ascertain the true situation.
See Michael Cohn, IRS Scammers Demand Payments on iTunes Gift Cards, Accounting Today, April 22, 2016.
