The IRS recently warned taxpayers and tax professionals about a phone scam in which individuals use common names and fake badge numbers to threaten taxpayers. This scam targets people across the nation and usually claim that the taxpayer owes taxes and must pay using a pre-paid debit card or wire transfer to avoid arrest, deportation, loss of a business, or driver’s license. They typically know the last four digits of the taxpayer’s social security number, the caller ID appears to be the IRS, they send emails supporting their claims and will also call back with a caller ID indicating DMV or police.
The truth is that the IRS usually contacts taxpayers by mail before calling and NEVER ask for payment using a pre-paid debit card or wire transfer. They never ask for a credit card number over the phone either.
If you receive a phone call like this, hang up and call 800-829-1040 to verify that you do or do not owe taxes. You can also report the incident to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration at 800-366-4484. Any emails you receive should be forwarded to phishing@irs.gov
For more visit irs.gov 
