Apple iTunes, Best Buy

Scammers are trying to trick taxpayers to pay fake debts by buying iTunes gift cards.

(AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)

Thieves are getting creative. Again.

You're probably very familiar with so-called IRS and tax refund scams.

You've also probably read about scams in which the caller impersonates law enforcement or the IRS threatens to toss you in jail.

"If you don't take care of your unpaid tax bill immediately, you will face arrest," the phone scammer may say.

The only way to get out of this mess?

To pay, and to pay fast.

The con artists always speak with urgency, and they can be pretty convincing.

Once a victim is hooked, the caller may instruct the victim to wire funds via Western Union or MoneyGram.

Or, the scammer will give victims very detailed instructions on how to pay what's "owed" by purchasing thousands of dollars of pre-paid debit cards. Fraudsters will even instruct victims to purchase the cards at several retail locations because customers may find limits on what they're permitted to purchase at one time.

It's also because more and more retailers are warning customers who make large purchases of pre-paid cards about such scams.

When the pre-paid card purchase is complete, the victim calls the scammer and gives the account numbers and PINs found on the back of the cards. The scammers almost immediately cash out the cards, and the victim is left with nothing but worthless plastic and a big hole in their bank accounts.

The IRS will never call you about a debt, nor will it ask you to pay by wire service or pre-paid gift cards.

Because consumers are starting to catch on to the pre-paid debit card strategy, hucksters are trying a new method.

iTunes gift cards.

In late April, the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) warned of a new version of the scam.

"TIGTA has received information that callers impersonating Internal Revenue Service (IRS) employees or the Treasury Department are demanding payments on iTunes Gift Cards," the agency said. "As a reminder, scam callers may also request payment of taxes on Green Dot Prepaid Cards, MoneyPak Prepaid Cards, Reloadit Prepaid Debit Cards, and other prepaid credit cards. These are fraudulent calls."

TIGTA said any call requesting a taxpayer use an iTunes Gift Card or other prepaid card to pay taxes and fees "is an indicator of fraudulent activity."

"No legitimate United States Treasury or IRS official will demand that payments via Western Union, MoneyGram, bank wire transfers or bank deposits be made into another person's account for any debt to the IRS or Treasury," it said.

You can report these scams to TIGTA, to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and to the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).

If you receive an email from anyone claiming to be from the IRS or any related tax agency, forward it to phishing@irs.gov.

Bamboozled has said it before, but it's worth saying again.

The IRS will never call you about a delinquent tax bill. You will always receive an official letter from the agency as the first contact about any issues with your returns.

If anyone ever calls you claiming to be from the IRS or any law enforcement group about a tax debt, hang up. If you're really worried that you may owe back taxes or fees and penalties, call the IRS yourself. It will gladly tell you if you owe the government any money.

LEARNING MORE

Because different versions of the IRS scam are so prevalent -- these rank as No. 1 on most consumer scam lists -- it's important that you, and your loved ones, become familiar with the tricks scammers try. Please share these past Bamboozled columns with your family and friends, and take special care to make sure any older folks -- relatives, neighbors -- understand the threat.

And it is a real threat.

Even if you think you know everything about IRS impersonation scams, or that no one you know would fall for it, take a look at the stories, which touch on different fraud methods and red flags.

It may save you or those important to you thousands of dollars -- and some huge headaches.

Pay IRS debt or face immediate arrest. Nah. It's a scam.

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Driver's license? Meet my tax return

IRS tells fraud victims to use flawed system as a fix

Have you been Bamboozled? Reach Karin Price Mueller at Bamboozled@NJAdvanceMedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @KPMueller. Find Bamboozled on Facebook. Mueller is also the founder of NJMoneyHelp.com.

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