IRS scams - call for action

This is a template for people who want to make their representatives in Congress aware of the plague of IRS scams sweeping the nation.

Please use as you see fit to support the cause, no copyrights will be claimed if you pass this on to your friends and neighbors.

Senators
Use the district office address of your senator as displayed on http://www.senate.gov/ 
Your letter should be addressed as follows:
The Honorable (full name)
United States Senate
Mailing Address of District Office
City, State, Zip Code

Representatives (House)
Use the district office address of your district representative as displayed on
http://www.house.gov/
Your letter should be addressed as follows:
The Honorable (full name)
United States House of Representatives
Mailing Address of District Office
City, State, Zip Code

Dear Senator/Representative XXX

As your constituent, I am writing to urge you to demand decisive action from the FBI, the IRS and other federal agencies against organized crime directed against American citizens from abroad.

As widely reported by local and national media all across the United States and warned about by the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (see http://www.treasury.gov/tigta/press/press_tigta-2014-03.htm) a tidal wave of fraud using Internet phones has hit our shores. Millions of dollars already have been stolen by criminals impersonating federal officers while hiding in countries like India and Pakistan, where most of the calls originate. There seems to be no end of it in sight.

I have personally been targeted by these scammers but it is the most vulnerable among us that I am concerned about primarily. The scheme is specifically singling out those that can least defend themselves against these crimes, in particular the elderly. I am also worried that given the origin of these gangsters, the money stolen from US citizens may be used for financing of terrorism or other activities directed against the national interests of the United States. But in spite of this clear and present danger to our country and its citizens I have seen no action worth mentioning by the FBI, the IRS or other federal agencies so far.

As a member of Congress overseeing the law enforcement agencies tasked with fighting fraud and ensuring national security, I implore you to make sure that they act on these threats and are given all the necessary resources to target these criminals in cooperation with foreign law enforcement.

Yours sincerely

Looks good Rex-thanks for the info!

Well said.  I'm onboard.

Rex, thank you for sharing your template. I can see where it would also be handy in dealing with the Grant Scam we see so much of.

Willow, that is a good idea. From my observation of the numbers used for both scams it seems that these two scripts are indeed linked. They probably come from the same call center in India or Pakistan. Unfortunately the grant scam is less well monitored by US authorities (compare the latest numbers on the IRS scam based on a freedom of information act request here: http://www.buzzfeed.com/johntemplon/tax-collection-scams-skyrocket).

Celtic, unfortunately my info notes keep being removed from phone number threads by admin. I would appreciate it if you could support with the administrators that at least this forum thread can remain so I can use it as a reference for warnings on other websites. I will have to migrate to a different reverse lookup platform. Best Rex

I just got a call from the impersonator today from a 202-241-0104. Red flag was the rudeness of the agent and how unwilling they were to answer my follow-up questions. I contacted my local Representative and state Senator. Thank you Rex!

202-600-4284. .

Has called me about 56 times over the past few weeks trying to scam money from me. I've tried getting the phone provider to shut down the number but they won't do it until I file a police report. I'm going to go ahead and do it. And also use your template to submit letters to those appointed in my state.

If you're getting called repeatedly from the same number, a call blocker might be a good idea if a land line and simply blocking if on a smart cell.  Unfortunately they change numbers frequently, so it will be an ongoing battle to stop them.

Since these scams are offshore, American law enforcement really can't do much.    It would take a concerted effort by the State Department and our political leadership--such as it is--to  compel foreign fraud havens like India to get this to stop.   Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be the slightest indication our government has even a attempted to stop this beyond the lowest levels of law enforcement.    Personally, I don't expect much no matter how bad this gets; the State Department always acts like it has "bigger fish to fry" when bothered with an issue that only hurts Americans, and the politicians are totally consumed with their internecine  bickering.    Self help seems our last and only recourse, so call blockers and knowledge seems our best defense.

Thanks RexIRS for this. I am going to write my Senators and MOC about this.

I got a voicemail telling me that a criminal report has been filed against me & that I needed to call as soon as possible.
I didn't hear him say anything about the IRS , or any agency or company.

The number was 202-241-8716. Caller had a Pakistani/Indian or similar accent.

Did you know that the correct thread pertaining to that number has many posts in it about this scam?  If you put the number in the search box to the right or at the bottom of your screen depending on the device you happen to be using it will take you to that thread which is where your post belongs.

You can find more on the number in question here. Any other calls can be found by using the number search to the right.

https://800notes.com/Phone.aspx/1-202-241-8716

Why would they think American people would fall for such garbage .