Congressman Cleaver warns Missourians about IRS Impersonation Scams

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II wants to remind citizens that during this time of the year, residents may receive phone calls from individuals claiming to be with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). This information from the IRS warns of continued scams and varied tactics. Even after the tax deadline passes, taxpayers should know the signs of a scam including those online.

If you get a phone call from someone claiming to be from the IRS and asking for money and you don't owe taxes, here's what you should do:

• Do not give out any information. Hang up immediately.
• Contact TIGTA to report the call. Use their "IRS Impersonation Scam Reporting" web page or call 1-800-366-4484.
• Report it to the Federal Trade Commission. Use the "FTC Complaint Assistant" on FTC.gov. Please add "IRS Telephone Scam" in the notes.
• If you think you might owe taxes, call the IRS directly at 1-800-829-1040.

By email, the scam artists will try to entice people to click on official-looking links. Report these emails to phishing@irs.gov.

From the IRS website, the IRS Will Never;

• Call to demand immediate payment over the phone, nor will the agency call about taxes owed without first having mailed you a bill.
• Threaten to immediately bring in local police or other law-enforcement groups to have you arrested for not paying.
• Demand that you pay taxes without giving you the opportunity to question or appeal the amount they say you owe.
• Require you to use a specific payment method for your taxes, such as a prepaid debit card.
• Ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone.

If you feel that you have been the victim of an IRS impersonation scam, contact the above numbers.

Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri's Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee's Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Blue Springs, Grain Valley, Oak Grove, North Kansas City, Gladstone, Claycomo, and all of Ray, Lafayette, and Saline Counties. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee, the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance, and also a Senior Whip of the Democratic Caucus. A high-resolution photo of Congressman Cleaver is available here.

For more information, please contact Heather Frierson at 816-842-4545 or Heather.Frierson@mail.house.gov.