The IRS has sent out a tip related to the latest twist in Social Security Numbers scams. Scammers claiming to be able to suspend or cancel the victim’s SSN is yet another attempt by con artists to frighten people into returning robocalls. (details below.)

Scammers may mention overdue taxes or threaten to cancel your SSN. If you receive a call threatening to suspend your SSN for an unpaid bill, HANG UP! Make no mistake, IT IS A SCAM, so hang up even if the call is prefaced by a plea to stay on the line.

Be aware that the IRS will never:

• Call to demand immediate payment using specific payment method such as a prepaid debit card, iTunes gift card, or wire transfer. The IRS does not use these methods for tax payments.
• Ask you to make a payment to a person or organization other than the U.S. Treasury.
• Threaten to immediately bring in local police or other law-enforcement groups to have you arrested for not paying.
• Demand taxes be paid without giving the taxpayer the opportunity to question or appeal the amount owed.

If you don’t owe taxes you should:

• Report the call to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration.
• Report the caller ID and callback number to the IRS by sending it to phishing@irs.gov. “IRS Phone Scam” should be written in the subject line.
• Report the call to the Federal Trade commission. When reporting it, “IRS Phone Scam” should be added in the notes.

If you do owe taxes you should:

• View your tax account information online at IRS.gov to verify your account balance.
• Call the number on the billing notice.
• Call the IRS at 800-829-1040. We recommend calling very early in the day as wait times tend to be very long.

Please visit https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/taxpayers-should-be-on-the-lookout-for-new-version-of-ssn-scam for more information.