Tax Scam Season: Is It Really The IRS Calling? Here’s How To Know

There ALWAYS seems to be some sort of scam going on around the Northland (and the rest of the country, I'm sure) but with tax season in full swing, there seems to be even more than usual.

You may wonder how people could fall for these scams but the truth is technology is getting more sophisticated by the day, making these crimes more believable than ever.

Scammers are also becoming more sophisticated, posing as government and IRS officials. So how do you know if it's really the IRS or just a sham? The agency, along with the Duluth Police Department, is sharing some tips.

Here are a few I found useful:

• The IRS will usually contact you via mail using the USPS.
• The IRS will call a home or business for a few reasons, like an overdue tax bill, to schedule a business as part of an audit, during criminal investigations and with questions regarding a tax return or payment. However, they will likely contact you via mail first.
• The IRS will not call you asking for payment then and there. As mentioned, they will likely contact you via mail first.
• The IRS will not threaten you with arrest, deportation, etc.
• If the IRS does call you to request a payment, they will ask you to pay through the U.S. Treasury and only the U.S. treasury.

To be honest, I did not know every one of these facts until I read up on them. They are important to note so you don't fall victim to a scam. To see the full list of tips and tricks of the IRS, click here.

Just over a week ago, the Duluth Police Department was warning residents about a tax scam. With this sophisticated crime, scammers told people their social security number had been suspended and asked for personal information in order to get it back up and running.