ORLANDO, Fla. – As the tax filing deadline approaches, individuals should be on high alert for voicemail messages claiming they owe back taxes.
Scammers are targeting personal information, according to the Better Business Bureau.
It’s a call no one wants to receive, leaving a message that no one wants to hear.
“We are calling about your overdue back tax filings,” the voicemail states.
This message is especially concerning during tax season.
“This is a notification call about your back tax debt that must be settled before the end of the month,” the voicemail states.
The Better Business Bureau’s Scam Tracker has received 116 consumer complaints about the voicemail messages in less than a month.
“If we’ve received that many mentioning the same identical voicemail, we know that it is far spread,” said Holly Salmons, CEO and president of the Better Business Bureau of Central Florida.
“What we want viewers to know is the IRS is not going to reach out to you by phone. They’re not going to reach out to you by text message, certainly not through social media,” Salmons emphasized.
The voicemail continues with a threatening tone: “If you call today, we can help you avoid any wage garnishment.”
“Certainly, scammers are best known for using scare tactics and for using fear. And that’s exactly what we’re seeing in this case,” Salmons added.
The calls are likely coming from automated call centers.
Salmons explained that the goal is to get individuals to pay something they do not actually owe the IRS or to obtain their personal information.
If you think you might owe back taxes, go directly to IRS.gov to check.
Remember, don’t fall for the scheme, and don’t get ripped off. If you do, email Louis Bolden at LBOLDEN@WKMG.COM
