By Dan Murphy
Whenever most of us go to our supermarket to buy gift cards, one of the standard questions asked is “Are you buying this gift card for someone else?”
Most of us wonder why the question is asked. The reason is that a 10-year-old scam targeting seniors is alive and well, and here in Westchester County.
I found this out when I recently bought a $100 gift card. When asked, I said no, but then asked how seriously this still affects seniors, most of whom lack family or close neighbors to help them avoid this trap.
“Many seniors buy gift cards, and if they return multiple times, we contact law enforcement or someone who can help,” said a customer service rep at the Stop and Shop in Somers.
The IRS gift card scam is a fraudulent scheme in which a caller poses as an IRS agent to trick you into paying a “tax bill” with gift cards. The IRS will never ask for or accept gift cards as payment for a tax bill.
How the Scam Works
Initial Contact: A scammer calls, texts, or emails you, often spoofing their caller ID to appear to be from the IRS.
The Threat: They claim you owe back taxes or have been linked to criminal activity. They may threaten immediate arrest, deportation, or revocation of your driver’s license.
The Demand: You are told to buy gift cards (often iTunes, Google Play, Target, or Walmart) and provide card numbers and PINs.
The Theft: Once the scammer has the codes, they can drain the funds immediately.
Red Flags to Watch For
Requesting Gift Cards: Any request for payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency is a definitive sign of a scam.
Immediate Payment Demands: The real IRS typically initiates contact by mail and offers an opportunity to appeal any amount owed.
Threats of Law Enforcement: The IRS does not threaten to bring in local police or immigration officers to have you arrested for non-payment.
Unexpected Contact: The IRS does not initiate contact by email, text, or social media to request personal or financial info
How to Report the Scam:
Treasury Inspector General (TIGTA): Use the IRS Impersonation Scam Reporting form or call 800-366-4484.
Federal Trade Commission (FTC): File a complaint at FTC.gov and mention “IRS Telephone Scam”.
IRS Phishing Email: Forward suspicious emails to phishing@irs.gov.
Other ways seniors are tricked:
They may demand taxes without the right to appeal, and all taxpayers should be aware of their rights.
Threaten to call police or immigration to arrest the taxpayer for nonpayment.
Scammers may claim your licenses or immigration status will be revoked.
Despite arrests in the US and India since 2017, the problem remains, and it is more prevalent in Westchester than many realize.
A story that illustrates the problem is titled “Exclusive: How Indian scammers built a multi-billion-dollar global fraud empire.” Across India, thousands of unemployed young people like Khatri quietly fuel a multi-million-dollar cyber scam industry that grows daily.
What started as fringe activity is now a parallel economy featuring training centers, managers, performance targets, and international revenue flows—all operating behind a screen and an English accent.
https://www.trtworld.com/article/23e1fe1c3220.
Find fraud prevention resources at the Westchester Department of Consumer Protection and their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/WestchesterConsumerProtection.
To help, contact a senior in your neighborhood, church, or community group who may need support, and ask how you can assist them.
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