I am working from home and the phone rings. My wife answers it in another room. A few seconds later I see her coming toward me with a very worried look saying to the caller that he is getting me. I ask her who it is. She says the police! My mind immediately goes to kids getting in trouble....
I say hello and the caller with Indian accent asks if I am Amir. I say yes. He says, "Sir, this is officer so and so calling from Crime Investigation Unit of IRS." Before I could say anything, he asked: "Did we call you or did you call us because you received our package in the mail?"
Still super worried I recall that line being what some spammers use where they leave you a voice mail and a number to get you to call them back. I said, "how do I know you work for IRS?" He said in a strong tone, "Sir, do you want my badge number?" I started to get suspicious at this time. I told him that the badge number was of no value to me and that he should prove to me he works for IRS some other way.
In a rather strong and angry tone, the caller said, "Sir, I didn't say I was part of IRS." I said, "I thought you did." He said, "No I am in the criminal division." I asked where he is located. He said Washington DC. I ask him to tell me what the address of IRS is there and he gave the correct one.
At this point, his tone changed and become like a kid trying to explain he hadn't done anything wrong. Almost being sure he is phony, I said, "this is getting funnier by the minute. Anything else you want to tell me?"
A few seconds went by and click, he hung up!
I have to tell you, this is the best scam there is. My wife fully believed them and I did too at first. My heart was beating fast. I am sure if I went along, the next thing would have been extracting personal info from us and stealing our identity, money, etc.
Looking online seems like this scam started last year. Please don't fall for it. IRS never calls you like this without sending written notices first.
I say hello and the caller with Indian accent asks if I am Amir. I say yes. He says, "Sir, this is officer so and so calling from Crime Investigation Unit of IRS." Before I could say anything, he asked: "Did we call you or did you call us because you received our package in the mail?"
Still super worried I recall that line being what some spammers use where they leave you a voice mail and a number to get you to call them back. I said, "how do I know you work for IRS?" He said in a strong tone, "Sir, do you want my badge number?" I started to get suspicious at this time. I told him that the badge number was of no value to me and that he should prove to me he works for IRS some other way.
In a rather strong and angry tone, the caller said, "Sir, I didn't say I was part of IRS." I said, "I thought you did." He said, "No I am in the criminal division." I asked where he is located. He said Washington DC. I ask him to tell me what the address of IRS is there and he gave the correct one.
At this point, his tone changed and become like a kid trying to explain he hadn't done anything wrong. Almost being sure he is phony, I said, "this is getting funnier by the minute. Anything else you want to tell me?"
A few seconds went by and click, he hung up!
I have to tell you, this is the best scam there is. My wife fully believed them and I did too at first. My heart was beating fast. I am sure if I went along, the next thing would have been extracting personal info from us and stealing our identity, money, etc.
Looking online seems like this scam started last year. Please don't fall for it. IRS never calls you like this without sending written notices first.
