Happy Friday, AskMe. I really didn't anticipate having to ask this, but… Mom has just been victimized by one of those IRS phone scams making the rounds. What should we do, beyond the obvious? I've written previously about scammers and my mom. This seems to be unrelated, as far as I know. The caller claimed to be working for the IRS, which due to some previous history on our family's part was a great line to use with her. They threatened arrest, and ran her through an elaborate scheme.
In short, they kept her on the phone for ~3 hours, and managed to get her to pay a large sum via Google Play gift cards. If there's any sort of silver lining, she claims not to have given them her SSN or any other information beyond our current address, though I'm personally a bit worried about that much.
I obviously need to report this to the IRS. Their web site advises reporting to the FTC and local law enforcement. Beyond that, is there anything else the fine folks of AskMe might suggest? You've been wonderfully helpful for me in the past, and I really appreciate it so very much. I'm taking it as given that the money is gone for good, though would love to hear different.
In short, they kept her on the phone for ~3 hours, and managed to get her to pay a large sum via Google Play gift cards. If there's any sort of silver lining, she claims not to have given them her SSN or any other information beyond our current address, though I'm personally a bit worried about that much.
I obviously need to report this to the IRS. Their web site advises reporting to the FTC and local law enforcement. Beyond that, is there anything else the fine folks of AskMe might suggest? You've been wonderfully helpful for me in the past, and I really appreciate it so very much. I'm taking it as given that the money is gone for good, though would love to hear different.