Easy Ways to Spot Suspicious Calls from Those Claiming to be the IRS

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With tax season in full swing, phony IRS calls are more frequent than usual. It’s important to stay apprised of the scams and how they can illicit your personal information for financial gain. Due to the importance of maintaining compliance with IRS requirements, most people are quick to hand over their information. Doing so can result in your identity being compromised and the resolution for such requires an incredible amount of work to resolve. It is particularly dangerous for business owners as your livelihood can be stripped from under you overnight.

The IRS offers some great tips for vetting the calls and discerning phony from real calls.

The first is an understanding for what they are typically using as bait. They may demand money, or say you are due money. They likely will know a significant amount of your personal information and mask their phone numbers from the IRS. Some will go one step further and provide fake names and IRS identification numbers.

The IRS Commissioner, John Koskinen states “We have formal processes in place for people with tax issues. The IRS respects taxpayer rights, and these angry, shake-down calls are not how we do business.” According to the IRS website, there are 5 things the IRS will never do:

  1. Call to demand immediate payment, nor will we call about taxes owed without first having mailed you a bill.
  2. Demand that you pay taxes without giving you the opportunity to question or appeal the amount they say you owe.
  3. Require you to use a specific payment method for your taxes, such as a prepaid debit card.
  4. Ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone.
  5. Threaten to bring in local police or other law-enforcement groups to have you arrested for not paying.

The IRS does not use unsolicited email, text messages or any social media to discuss your personal tax issue. One way to ensure that you are up to date on taxes is to work with a PEO – they will make sure that you are following the correct codes, regulations and tax requirements. Contact us today to find out which PEO is right for you!

What is Whistleblowing?

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The term whistleblowing has received a lot more spotlight in recent years due to the collapses of the mortgage and banking industries as well as with the rise of social media. It is defined as raising a concern about a wrong doing within an organization. The concern must be a genuine concern about a crime, criminal offense, miscarriage of justice, dangers to the health and safety of an environment and/or the cover up of any of these things. It is officially called “making a disclosure in public interest”. Corrupt business practices are often unearthed by whistleblowers before they are found by regulatory agencies.

Whistleblowing can be nerve racking for the individual who is submitting the information. Often they are worried about repercussions, their own reputation and their ability to continue to maintain gainful employment. Many of us have hear the mantra “nobody likes a tattle tale” for the majority of our lives however when it comes to blowing the whistle on corrupt or inappropriate business practices, fear of being a “tattler” needs to take a back seat to doing the right thing.

The first whistleblowing law was enacted on July 30th, 1778 by the Continental Congress after two Navy corpsmen blew the whistle and were subjected to severe retaliation by then commander-in-chief of the Continental Navy. Since then, the policies surrounding whistleblowing and protection of those who do it have been changed and modified to suit current times.

Most companies have enacted their own policies and procedures to ensure the protection of whistleblowers. Employer Solutions Plus can help you design yours or help you find a great partner (such as a PEO) that offers support as one of its many benefits! Contact us today for a consultation.

Be sure to stay tuned! Our next blog will feature an overview of the OSHA Whistleblower Protection Program.