Be aware of Sophisticated phone Scam call from the number
1-888-909-8081 Claiming IRS. This is a totally fake call.
You can talk with them and listen what they say but regarding paying for what they say be careful.
I did receive a call and at first it seemed like whatever they are saying is right and was compelling me to pay money but at the same time i got the second opinion from my wife and we finally figured out its a fake call. Thanks to my wife who was beside me and we were able to analyze and figure it out.
I am describing all the details what they mentioned looks like real and what all concludes its a scam. They are basically targeting all Immigrants- Students or Professionals. I would like everyone to share this as much as we could so that the person who received this message before receiving the call will appreciate your help.
Following are the scenarios what they had said to me and seemed like a real call (But in fact those all are makeup)
1. First of all a person called (representing himself as IRS)and gave me
the description about the Legal Charges regarding TAX Filing. I
asked him his name and ID and he provided me his ID like DC2346
and his name as "John Parker"
( Name itself doesn't make any sense thick Indian or African accent
with American Name)
2. He said he is calling from the IRS Headquarter (i.e. 1111
Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington DC, 20224) And in fact the
address is correct which i validated through internet.
3. He gave me the call back number and extension. if you disconnect
and call back again you can easily reach him by calling the number
he provided.
4. He asked me if I received any call from the Sheriff Department
this morning regarding the TAX Filing charges.
5. I said "No i haven't received a call" (Obviously you won't receive
any call as you haven't done anything wrong) then he started
briefing me about the fake charges.
6. He gave me fake Affidavit ID as TX/19/2855 and he
said that he doesn't have enough information and will connect me
to the "Chief Investigation Officer" for further detailed information.
And requested me not to disconnect the call so that he can
transfer the call.
Till these moment i was thinking myself like "Seriously" how could this happen i am law abiding person and everything i did was correct and accurate. During this talk this guy squashed all of me and i was like thought less. Did a brief search on the internet (for address) while talking with him and every thing looks like real. Didn't know what to do what not to do. Man, frankly telling all of me was broken and was very afraid.
After all those serious talks with the first guy was enough to scare me and believe on what he explained. Now the time come for the second person who claimed himself as an "Chief Investigation Officer".
I asked his name and ID and he provided me as "Kevin Johnson" ID # "DC 18941" and my second round started after 15 minutes talk with the first Parker whose plan of getting me to the line was successful.
First of all this second officer gave even a big buzz by saying all the conversation that we are having is recorded and could be used in favor or against me. So whatever the information that i provide to him needs to be correct. I asked him regarding the details of my charges. He said he will first explain me about the charges followed by series of questions which i need to answer in Yes or No only.
He also mentioned that i need to listen to him and do not interrupt in the middle of the conversation. Now he started briefing me about the charges, till now appeared to me as my real case but in fact was a "SCAM".
First of all he asked me to verify my Name and address. I said if you have my details why don't you go ahead with it and i will verify it. He spelled my full name and address. That itself was sufficient for me. I didn't bother to ask him my SSN and other details.
Now he started briefing my charges, he said that IRS has filed a charge against me on 3 counts based on 3 violations and he explained me the Violations as below for the tax year 11/12:
a. IRS Tax act violation ( gave me some tax act year)
b. Immigration Violation ( again some tax/immigration act year)
c. Providing misleading information to IRS (act year)
And He said that he is going to download the case after which it will go to Sheriff department and a police office will come and knock my door within half and hour and will take me to the Office to file a charge against me and will keep me in detention for 1 or 2 hours and will release me. And he said this is not a big deal but just for formality and i will have chance to fight in the court.
I asked him if i can hiring a lawyer now and i do not need to go to Police station. He said no it is just for formality and you have to go there before hiring a lawyer and you can hire after the charges are filed.
Man you couldn't imagine how i may have been through and my situation at this point. He completely butchered me morally , physically, thoughtfully. I cannot find the perfect word to explain it.
Now he started asking me questions and also emphasized that it is being recorded and all the responses could be count in favor and against me.
1. Have you ever been arrested?
I said "NO" never.
2. Have you knowingly provided any false or misleading information to
U.S Government?
I said "NO" never.
3. Have you filed a bankruptcy in last 7 years?
I said "NO"
4. Have you got any traffic violation tickets?
I said "YES". One time
After these questions he asked me to repeat after him that "All the information provided are correct and accurate" he said its being recorded and i repeated after him along with my name at the last "Hem.. + Last Name".
After all those things i asked him if there is any other way i don't have to go to the Police Station. Then he started briefing: As seeing on you good moral history and your co-operation we can stop the process before it gets to the Sheriff's office only If you clear your outstanding due and we need to record that on the file and this is your last chance to do that.
I asked him what is my outstanding due and he said $1250.00. Also he said that if i can follow the formality now he can enter that amount as paid and i will receive a receipt with the clearance cheat within 3 to 5 business days from IRS but i need to complete the formality while he is in phone. He was so compelling that if i disconnect the phone he doesn't have any other options to help me out and unwillingly he has to download the file.
I said i am ready to complete the formality. Now he want me to repeat again another sentence with him saying " I Hem(first + last Name) would like to complete the formality that is needed to stop my charges being forwarded to the sheriff's office and may lead to court appearance". And obviously he won't miss saying this is being recorded.
Now he asked me to get the pen and paper and he will explain how to pay for it. He said they won't accept any personal check, Bank account or any other personal means but only "Government Certified Voucher". Man how could these guys come up with these terms which could make panic while hearing the sentence itself.
During this last conversation my wife came in to my Office room and asked me in very dimmed voice. What happened? since she saw me very tensed on the phone ( usually she doesn't ask me when i am in a phone as i could be in the important meeting/conversation) but at this time she felt what i am going through and tried to talk with me in sign language. Now i am in the phone and i am not able explain her but some how i tried to manage it with a guy saying just wait till i get the pen and paper and i muted the phone. Then i started briefing the story to my wife. After hearing all the story my wife felt suspicious about the call and seated beside me and hear all the conversation.
Now that guy is telling me where i can get those voucher. "CVS", Dollar general, Radio Shack etc. These guys knows each and every tiny details man. And he even said that it should be green voucher which costs like $3.95 each since i have the outstanding balance of $1250. I need to get 3 vouchers each with $300 for 2 and $250 for one. As the maxim limit for each voucher is $300 only. Also he said that these stores don't accept credit card. I need to pay either cash or debit card. And after i filled those voucher with the dollar amount i need to tell the number that is printed on the voucher which i could get by scratching a silver color foil.
After i provide that number it will complete the formality and i need to mail the voucher to the IRS Head Quarter (i.e. 1111
Constitution Avenue, Unit # 5480, NW, Washington DC, 20224)
My wife suggested me to some how get out of the call by any chance may be for 5 to 10 minutes so that we can think on it. Also she was not sure if it is a real call or not.
He called me around 6:30 (after office hours) and i told him all the banks are closed and i won't be able to do that right now since i only have credit card. Can i pay it tomorrow? I do have a debit card but just to get out of the call i said so. but he said i have a last chance and i need to complete the formality as he is on the phone.
Again i said him i need to call my Wife to get the debit card and i need 5 to 10 minutes time and i can call you back. He said i am trying to help you out but you doesn't seems like getting out of it. Ok let me see what i can do. Finally he said ok you have 5 to 10 minutes time. After that you call me or i can call you. But pick up the phone when i called you otherwise i won't call twice. I said thank God i will surely pick up the call or i will give you a call back.
Now i got time we started doing online research and we found that its a "SCAM". But still i was afraid as all the address are legitimate. My wife wanted me to call him back and i called him back and i said you are not from IRS are you trying RIP me off.
Now he tried to be rude and convince me and my wife grab the phone from me and said "Hey man if you try to call this number again you are going to Jail and i will complain to FBI, Never ever think of calling back again" and hung up the phone.
It happened on May 15th 2014 but haven't received any calls since then.
If you also received such call and what was your reaction please post it. So that every body in the community will know .
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