Question: I just read your column about the IRS scam, and I was a victim, too. This past Monday I got a message on my cellphone to call the IRS. When I called, a guy answered the phone and demanded that I give my birth date and last four digits of my Social Security number, which — my biggest mistake — I did. Then they had me speak to another man, who introduced himself as Officer Kevin Praizer. He started telling me that if I did not pay the $11,000 that I owed the IRS that day, the IRS would garnish my house, my savings, my retirement and freeze my Social Security for seven years and on and on and on. Then I started thinking and feeling that this is not right. I hung up on him, and then he called and left a message saying that my hanging up on him means that I am refusing to pay so for me to stay home and within three hours a county sheriff will come and take me into custody and on and on and on again. … I immediately thought about my elderly parents; English is their second language. I know for sure that they might get really scared and give information to those people. I also called 911 about it and did not get much help. I even got scoldings for calling them and I was told they are not IRS, they are the police station. … Please continue to inform our community about this.
Answer: First, for the benefit of readers not yet aware of this pervasive scam, we’ll emphasize that everything you were told over the phone was false — lies designed to scare you into paying these thieves outright or disclosing personal information that will make it easier for them to steal from you later. Unfortunately, you disclosed vital information and must take immediate steps to limit the damage (we’ll outline them shortly).
Again, we emphasize, the real Internal Revenue Service will not call and threaten you with jail, even if you actually owe the government money. If you get such a call, hang up immediately. If you get a voice message purporting to be from the IRS, do not return the call.
As for what to do now that the thieves have obtained your birth date and the last four digits of your Social Security number:
>> Report the scam to the Treasury inspector general for tax administration. You mentioned that you had read the May 18 Kokua Line column alerting folks anew of this scam, and you can find the specific instructions in that column, at 808ne.ws/1RebMO5. There’s also a link on the inspector general’s home page, at tigta.gov.
>> Take immediate steps to protect your financial accounts and your credit, since you disclosed personal information that increases your risk of actually losing money. The Federal Trade Commission, a U.S. agency focused on protecting consumers from fraud and deception, has a website at identitytheft.gov that guides victims through actions necessary for their specific circumstances.
When a Social Security number has been compromised but no theft has yet been detected, the FTC recommends that you:
>> Get your free credit reports from annualcredit report.com and check for any accounts or charges that you don’t recognize.
>> Consider placing a credit freeze, which will make it harder for someone to open a new account in your name. If you do so, be ready to take a few extra steps the next time you apply for a credit card, cellphone or any service that requires a credit check. If you decide against placing a credit freeze, at least consider placing a fraud alert.
>> If you got an extension on your tax return this year, file as soon as possible and file as early as you can in future years, to prevent a thief from using your Social Security number to get a tax refund or a job. Respond right away to legitimate letters you receive from the IRS.
>> Don’t believe anyone who calls and says you’ll be arrested unless you pay some debt, even if they have part or all of your Social Security number.
There are additional steps for victims whose personal information is used to open new credit accounts or make purchases, including filing a police report. The website guides victims step by step through the recovery process.
Write to “Kokua Line” at Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu 96813; call 529-4773; fax 529-4750; or email kokualine@staradvertiser.com.
