IRS Investigation Dept

Victim Location 93612

Total money lost $1,600

Type of a scam Tax Collection

They left message on my cell. There’s a lawsuit against you from the IRS. Call 509-570-1780. I called today (9-23-16) morning, before going to work, at 7:06am PST. Someone answered by name Ruth Mathew, ID Badge #IMR10256 and she was calling from the IRS Investigation Department. She said the conversation will be recorded. She asked me for my name and address and the last 4 digits of my SSN. Then she told me I had a lawsuit from the IRS. (She had an accent from India). She asked me if I wanted to fight the lawsuit or settle it out of court. I said that I don’t know anything about how come I owe to the IRS, but that I am willing to pay in monthly payments. She was going to transfer the call to another department that will help me with that. But I told her that I had to leave to go to work because I am running late. She then said that even if I were to arrive at work, there would be a Sheriff in 35 minutes that will be arresting me at work. The other lady from the financial dept told me to have the phone on the whole time to keep me from getting arrested otherwise what we are doing would not be viable, and I can get arrested. Later at CVS, she said this is what I want you to do. I want you to purchase 1- $500 Apple iTunes gift card, and 3-$100 Apple iTunes gift card with your debit card. She said that if the store clerk asks how come so much money, then don’t tell them it‘s to pay back taxes because they will confiscate the debit card and they will call the police on me and I will get arrested before the funds are on hold from my arrest. She told me to get in the car and not talk outside my car about this because they will hear and I can get arrested. When I got back in the car, I was instructed to scratch off and give her the numbers on the card. After a long pause, I wasn’t sure if the call was disconnected or not. She said “Sorry that I didn’t get back to you sooner. I talked to my supervisor and she said they are willing to let go of the amount by paying a special sum because you sound to be genuine and sincere. She asked if I was willing to go through with this. I said yes. They said I just pay $5000 something, and that I only pay half of this now and that they would give me a check of $2900 the next day. I said that this didn’t make sense. She said all this time, there are jurors ( I don’t think she said jurors but some people that are important to make decisions) that are listening in to the conversation and they really can tell that I am genuine and that perhaps there was a mistake not done intentionally on the filing taxes. It’s a special arrangement that they wouldn’t do that to anyone that because I sounded genuine. I also mentioned that my bank doesn’t open on Saturday for me to cash the $2900 check but she said not to worry she’ll give me a place where they cash checks and I give them a fee of $150. She also mentioned that an officer will be coming to my address tomorrow morning to give me the legal papers because nowadays there are scams regarding the IRS and we can’t trust anyone. I told her I don’t have half of this money. She said go to the bank and get a loan. I said no, since my beacon score is too low. And so on. I have already reported this to TIGTA in more detail.

She used scare tactics. I felt red flags all over. Now when you think about it, it was plain stupid. I should have had my thinking hat on this whole time.