IRS Scams on the Rise: How to Protect Yourself with Tips from Wes Johnson, Fiduciary Advisor in Mount Pleasant
At ACT Advisors, your safety and financial well-being are our top priorities. Recently, we’ve seen a concerning rise in IRS scam activity, and we want to make sure you’re informed and prepared to protect yourself. These scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, and we’ve had a couple of clients who’ve been targeted. It’s important to know how these scams work so you can stay vigilant and avoid falling victim. Watch this brief video from Wes Johnson, a Certified Financial Planner® professional at our Mount Pleasant office, for tips on protecting yourself from these scams.
Understanding the IRS Scam
Here’s how these scams typically operate: You may receive a phone call, email, text message, or even see a post on social media from someone claiming to be from the IRS. They’ll often present an urgent situation—perhaps they’ll tell you that you owe money, that your tax return is in error, or that you’re being investigated. Their goal? To pressure you into handing over personal information or even money.
"The way the scam works is simple—scammers contact you, often with an urgent claim, to get personal information or money. Remember, the IRS does not operate this way. Most communication from the IRS will come through traditional mail. Anything outside of this, especially if it's urgent, is almost certainly a scam."
The truth is, the IRS doesn’t operate this way. The IRS does not contact individuals through phone calls, emails, text messages, or social media. The vast majority of their communication comes through traditional mail. Therefore, if you receive anything outside of this—especially something claiming to be urgent—it’s almost certainly a scam.
According to Wes Johnson, CFP®, “The way the scam works is simple—scammers contact you, often with an urgent claim, to get personal information or money. Remember, the IRS does not operate this way. Most communication from the IRS will come through traditional mail. Anything outside of this, especially if it’s urgent, is almost certainly a scam.”
How the IRS Really Communicates
There are rare occasions when the IRS might visit your home or business in person,
but this is typically only if they’re collecting money or conducting an investigation. Even in these cases, they will have sent multiple notices through the mail beforehand. Accordingly, if someone shows up at your door claiming to be from the IRS and you haven’t received any prior notices, be extremely cautious—it’s likely a scam.
What You Should Do
We want to help ensure you’re safe from these fraudulent activities. Here are a few key points to remember:
- Be Skeptical of Unsolicited Contact: If you receive a phone call, email, text, or social media message claiming to be from the IRS, do not engage. The IRS will almost always contact you by mail first.
- Do Not Share Personal Information: Never provide personal or financial information in response to an unsolicited message or call. Scammers are skilled at making their requests sound legitimate, but they’re only after your information.
- Verify Suspicious Communications: If you receive something that seems off—even if it’s through the mail—reach out to us at ACT Advisors. We’re here to help you determine whether it’s legitimate or not.
We’re Here to Help
At ACT Advisors, we’re your partners in ensuring your financial safety and peace of mind. Wes Johnson, emphasizes, “If you ever receive any communication—whether by mail or otherwise—that you’re unsure about, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We’re here to help you verify its legitimacy.”
Remember, it’s always better to double-check than to risk your personal information falling into the wrong hands. Stay safe and know that ACT Advisors is always here to support you.
Thank you for trusting us to look out for your best interests. If you have any questions or need assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out.
