Pat and Scott Call Back Unsuspecting IRS Scammers

Don’t fall victim to the IRS phone scam! Watch the video above to hear just how convincing IRS scammers can be and learn more about how to stay safe.

Since October 2013, there have been over 5,000 victims of IRS phone call scams, who have collectively lost over $26.5 million (Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration). To protect yourself from IRS scammers, review the tips below:

The IRS will never...

Contact you via phone. Threaten to 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.

Since Pat’s initial fraudulent IRS message on May 3rd, he has received several more calls, each attempting to trick him into calling back about the taxes he supposedly owes.



To learn more from the IRS about how to stay safe, click here.

Read Full Audio Transcript:

Jack: Hello.

Pat: I got a voicemail from you that you guys are suing me. You're the IRS, you're suing me?

Jack: Yes, sir. Yes, Pat. Pat McClain. Am I right?

Pat: Yes, yes.

Jack: So, there are some legal allegations and a lawsuit is being filed against you by the IRS. Are you aware of this situation, sir?

Pat: No, this is the first time I've heard of it.

Jack: I will just go ahead and read the legal charges against you.

Pat: Okay.

Jack: As for the document, we conducted an audit on your tax file for the years 2008 to 2013.

Pat: 2008 through 2013?

Jack: Yes, sir.

Pat: Okay, all right.

Jack: And we found that there are some miscalculations on the taxes that you filed that don’t match the tax record that we have.

Pat: No.

Jack: According to section 101, an amount is still outstanding that you have not paid. For that reason, the local authority will be coming to your place with a legal arrest warrant. Your driver’s license will be cancelled and everything under your name, your property, your bank account, everything will be seized, sir.

Pat: You're taking...wait stop. So they come...are they going to come to my house?

Jack: Yes.

Pat: Okay, so how do I fix this?

Jack: If you want to resolve this matter, sir, I will tell you everything about this. Do you want to resolve this matter?

Pat: Yeah, how much do I owe though because that's five years?

Jack: Okay, so now the total outstanding amount on your name is $2,400, $2,400, which includes your taxes, legal charges and late fees.

Pat: Oh, $2,400. I thought it was so much worse because you said you were going to take my house.

Jack: Now, I want to ask you, did you do this intentionally or was it by mistake, sir?

Pat: No, I’d never do something like this intentionally. It's obviously by mistake.

Jack: Now, I don't think we can do anything about this because an arrest warrant has been issued under your name and we're already moving forward with the lawsuit, sir.

Pat: What do you mean? You just told me that...wait. What do you mean you can't...they're going to arrest me?

Jack: Yes, sir.

Pat: For $2,400?

Jack: Yes, sir. Because you're a tax defrauder. They already put in for file miscalculations. Listen to me, sir. They already put in for file miscalculations under your account between 2008 to 2013.

Pat: I didn't do it on purpose.

Jack: Harry Goldman believes that you are intentionally under paying.

Pat: But I didn't do it on purpose. I did not do this on purpose. It was a mistake. I mean my Uncle Joe's been doing my taxes for me. He said he knows what he's doing, now I owe this $2,400 and they're putting an arrest warrant out for me? I got a wife and kids. I mean, how does this happen in America?

Jack: Sir, I would like to ask you; would you like to solve this matter outside the court or [inaudible 00:03:01]

Pat: You know I do. You know I do. Oh my gosh! I don't even know what to do.

Jack: You have two options. If you want to pay this outstanding amount so you don't need to go to the court house, sir.

Pat: I don't.

Jack: Yeah, and if you went inside the court house you’d have to fight with the IRS, sir.

Pat: I have to fight with them?

Jack: Yeah.

Pat: Are you with the IRS?

Jack: Yes, sir.

Pat: But don't you guys know it was a mistake?

Jack: No. No. Actually listen to me, sir. This call is being recorded as evidence for the Federal court. So after disconnecting your call, your case file will be downloaded to the court house and the local sheriff will be contacted within 45 minutes with a legal arrest warrant.

Pat: 45 minutes?

Jack: Yes.

Pat: Okay, so let's get this over with. Just tell me how I make this thing go away.

Jack: If you want to resolve this matter sir you have to pay $2,400, anyhow, sir. Do you want to resolve this matter?

Pat: I said I did.

Jack: I am going to connect your call to my senior supervisor so he will help you can resolve this matter, sir. Okay?

Pat: Okay, what's his name?

Jack: My name is Jack Smith, sir.

Pat: Jack Smith.

Jack: Okay, [inaudible 00:04:13] hold on.

Pat: What's his name? What's the supervisor... Jack do you have a badge number?

Jack: I-R-M 12975.

Pat: And you guys are located in Washington DC?

Jack: Yes, of course.

Pat: Of course.

Jack: Hold on.

Pat: All right, thanks. They're connecting me now to Jack Smith's supervisor. I don't think his name is Jack Smith.

Scott: Someone is about to pay a $2,400 fake bill and they're going to let you hang?

Pat: How do they know my last name, though?

Scott: They bought it.

Pat: Yeah.

Scott: And, because of you this phone call is now evidence. After you hang up that sheriff will call you within 45 minutes. They're going to download it too. They're at your door in 45 minutes. The sheriff. Whole cavalry's coming.

Pat: 45 minutes.