It is tax season. It is time to pay taxes. And I hope all are serious about the tax paying business. There are some who are more active than a conscientious tax payer. It is the IRS impersonators. Come tax season, and they become active. Their modus operandi is to call and create an impression that the callers are genuine IRS officials. They introduce themselves as any professional IRS official will, giving their ID, which, of course, is not a real one. They will tell the person called that he has committed a fraud on IRS and that there are warrants of arrest. Many are filled with fear and visions of their being arrested and thrown behind bars. Something which they never ever dreamed of.  Also, the impersonator will instill greater fear by saying that because of the offence committed, the called person will face deportation. Again, many will shudder at the thought of losing career and being banished from the country to face an uncertain future back in the country he had come from. The impersonating IRS officials are experts at their job. It requires nerves of steel not to be filled with fear over their threats, which believe me, sound quite real.

However, once they know they have succeeded in frightening   a guy they will ask for amount due to be paid straightaway. And they have elaborate schemes to get the money from frightened guys. They do not give any time to the called person to think or consult somebody. Every year during the tax period we hear stories of people having been cheated.

IRS has been at pains to warn people of these impersonators and cheats. They keep telling that IRS will send notice if at all there is something amiss with an income tax return or if the department wants a tax payer to make a payment. Yet, many fall a prey to the wiles of these impersonators.

I will advice readers of The Indian Panorama not to panic when such a call is received. A little caution and you will save your hard-earned dollars.

Good Luck!