The Indiana Department of Revenue (DOR) is warning taxpayers
to be on alert when getting phone calls claiming they have unpaid tax bills. These
phone calls are often scams designed to threaten individuals with some sort of
law enforcement or legal action in order to get them to send money towards
bogus tax bills.
The federal government’s Treasury Inspector
General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) reports that 14,700 victims have paid
more than $72 million as a result of phone scams since 2013.
Customers should be aware that DOR and the IRS will never:
Call demanding immediate payment using a specific payment method, such as a
prepaid debit card, gift card or wire transfer. Generally, the taxpayer will
receive a bill in the mail if taxes are owed.
Demand taxpayers pay taxes without the opportunity to question or appeal the
amount owed. Taxpayers should also be advised of Indiana’s Taxpayer Bill of
Rights, here.
Threaten to bring in local police, immigration officers or other law
enforcement to have the taxpayer arrested for refusing payment.
Threaten to revoke a taxpayer’s driver’s license, business licenses or
immigration status. Threats like these are common tactics scam artists use to
trick victims into buying into their schemes.
Call about an unexpected refund.
If taxpayers think they are the target of a phone scam:
Do not give the caller any personal information and hang up immediately.
Call TIGTA at 800-366-4484 or report online here.
Report to DOR by email at investigations@dor.in.gov or by phone at 317-232-2240.
To confirm any claims made by a potential scammer, contact the IRS at
1-800-829-1040 or DOR Customer Service at 317-232-2240, Monday through Friday,
8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. EST