During the recent Financial Self-Defense seminar presented by our Wealth Management division, we focused on the three main areas of financial fraud: preying on senior citizens, tax-related fraud, and general financial fraud.
With tax-related fraud, the most prevalent attempt comes from people or entities who call on the phone to try and fool you into thinking they are the IRS and that you owe them money. The IRS does not operate that way. In fact, here are six things the IRS will never do.
Six Things the IRS Will Never Do
#1. Call to demand immediate payments over the phone, nor will the agency call about taxes owed without first having mailed you several bills.
#2. Call or email you to verify your identity by asking for personal and financial information.
#3. Demand that you pay taxes without giving you the opportunity to question or appeal the amount they say you owe.
#4. Require you to use a specific payment method for your taxes, such as a prepaid debit card.
#5. Ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone or email.
#6. Threaten to immediately bring in local police or other law-enforcement groups to have you arrested for non-payment.
If you think you might have experienced this type of fraud and have questions, let us help you determine next steps. Learn more at www.canoncapital.com or call 215-723-4881.