Keystone Today

Attorney General Josh Shapiro has issued a report warning residents of IRS scams as the April 18 tax day approaches.

Residents should be careful when taking calls or texts about their taxes, a recent release from the AG's office said. Scammers will often imitate the IRS or other tax agencies, including one bogus one called the "Bureau of Tax Enforcement." Scam artists will try to frighten consumers into giving away personal information and money. They tend to be popular at the beginning of the year when people are in contact with IRS agents and tax preparation companies. 

"Scammers will try and frighten people by threatening them with a lien or a levy for unpaid taxes,” Shapiro said in the release. "They want you to panic and hand over your money and personal information as quickly as possible. Pennsylvanians should know the tricks these scammers use so they can keep calm and keep themselves, their money and their personal information safe."

Whether it is tax season or not, people should watch out for suspicious characteristics in calls, letters and texts, the release said. This includes threats involving law enforcement or immigration; unsolicited calls or texts requesting personal information or to verify an account; or requests of payment by cash, pre-paid debit cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency or gift cards.

Additionally, scammers will often use spoof phone numbers, so getting a call from an IRS number does not always mean it is real. Do not click links in suspicious texts from the IRS or texts about taxes. People should also be careful selecting a tax preparation business online as they can often be scams.

Residents are also reminded to not provide information to a caller claiming to be from the IRS and to report it to phishing@irs.gov. The IRS will not contact any taxpayer through email, texts or social media. Tax accounts can be reviewed at IRS.gov or by phone at 800-829-1040.

Those with questions or feel they have been victimized by a tax scam can submit a complaint with the Office of the Attorney General's Bureau of Consumer Protection by visiting the website, emailing scams@attorneygeneral.gov or calling 1-800-441-2555.