One of the most common problems in the larger Chicago and particularly in the suburb of Wheaton is Tax Fraud. The fraudulent payments are in the increase as technology advances making it easier to commit the frauds and scams. The most recent case as was unveiled in a series of articles entitled ian leaf tax fraud by Ian Leaf, the Fraud Specialist, involved telephone scams targeting tax payers.
In fact, it is evident that 30% of the residents in Wheaton have received calls or emails requiring them to make tax arrears payments immediately. An overwhelming 70% of the people who have been targeted have yielded to the fraud. With such a large number of the population being defrauded, it is clear those resources that would make notable changes in the lives of the public is being robbed from them. This necessitates unveiling of the tactics used by the fraudsters in Wheaton.
Tactics used by scammers in Wheaton
1. Fake IRS budges
Victims have reported that the scammers use fake IRS budges to validate their jurisdiction to call as ask the taxpayers to clear their tax arrears. They also ensure that the names they use are common among the dwellers to avoid triggering suspicion. As such, surnames become their characteristic of identification. To clear any iota of suspicion, they are able to memorize and recite at least four social security numbers of their targets.
2. Use of support emails
Once they have made a call, they send bogus email to the victims. The email usually details what they have already mentioned in their calls including the implementation of the charges that they may have stated to the victim.
3. Use of threats
Upon delivery of what they want the taxpayer to do, the fraudsters go ahead to issue threats which entail the consequences that the victims may suffer should they fail to yield. Oftentimes they state a huge penalty, jail time or revocation of driver’s license. At times, they threaten to deport people should they learn that the victim is a foreigner.
4. Use of background noise
In a bid to make their calls as real as possible, one may hear background noise. The noise is meant to mimic the actual situation when the IRS calls taxpayers.
However, it is worth noting that these fraudsters have no mandate to rod any member of the public of their money under any circumstances. Consequently, the IRS requires Wheaton dwellers to remain vigilant and aware that these cases are common. Confirming with the authorities is thus championed to avoid these cases.
