Debt Collector pretending to be IRS??

[cwillie]

My ex mother-in-law is receiving phone calls from someone trying to find me, stating they are from the IRS. Has anyone else experienced something like this - a debt collector pretending to be from the IRS? I would think the IRS would send me a letter if they actually wanted me. We filed our taxes and do not owe taxes, never have. Thinking it could be a random audit, but then again. The collection agencies are driving everyone around me crazy. They are even calling our neighbors! We should be filed within the next two weeks, but this has been going on for about three months now! It's getting to me.

[ichb]

I've heard of a collection agency called ICSystems. Or something to that effect. I don't know if this helps or not.

[Flamingo]

The IRS will never call anyone via phone or send an email.

[cwillie]

Flamingo - we've never been audited by the IRS, so if you are audited, they send you a letter via regular mail correct? I'm assuming the calls my ex mother-in-law is receiving are from collection agencies doing everything they can to contact me.

[Cali]

I had one creditor call my neighbor, and it pissed me off. I am not sure why they did it, since my address and home phone were the same they had on file. Yet I never received anything from them.

As for them pretending to be the IRS, is that legal?

My ex mother-in-law is receiving phone calls from someone trying to find me, stating they are from the IRS. Has anyone else experienced something like this - a debt collector pretending to be from the IRS? I would think the IRS would send me a letter if they actually wanted me. We filed our taxes and do not owe taxes, never have. Thinking it could be a random audit, but then again. The collection agencies are driving everyone around me crazy. They are even calling our neighbors! We should be filed within the next two weeks, but this has been going on for about three months now! It's getting to me.

[southernbelle]

I owe the IRS and they never called me once. They have 2 numbers for me and I have yet to get a call from them. It's not their style. They want a documented record of each contact with you and will mail you a letter either regular or certified, but you WILL know when the IRS is after you.

Also, when you file your taxes every year, they know exactly where you live, so why would they call anyway? This is definitely a bill collector with a name similar to the IRS or somone using scare tactics. If they were included in your filing, just ignore it, but if not, tell your MIL to tell them you filed bk or get their info so you can tell them yourself. They'll get the message after that.

[cwillie]

Thanks people - I figured it was a bill collector, but it did kind of scare me since we've never owed taxes! It's amazing what they'll do to try to get to you. Then there's my neighbor who keeps bringing us a note with a phone number to call them back regarding a "very important business matter." Yeah right.

[ichb]

Nearbys

When a debt collector calls a neighbor it's called a nearby (or at least was when I was a debt collector). Technically they are only allowed to do this if they are unable to verify your address and phone number. I believe I saw a post on here somewhere that says to make sure that your answering machine states your name to help with that situation.

For the record, I hated that job and didn't keep it very long after training, I just couldn't be as tough and sometimes sneaky as they wanted me to be. It was also long before I ever was on the receiving end and knew what it felt like to get those calls.

[cwillie]

Our address is the same as it has been for the past nine years, however, we did disconnect our home phone and now only use our cell phones. I got so sick of all the calls - approximately 20 per day, even though we had caller ID, it was just too annoying. I have spoken to my attorney and she has told me that I can either just keep ignoring them, or refer them to her office (she told me her paralegals like getting those calls!) We've obviously been ignoring them as some have gotten our cell numbers and we just keep them on mute. It'll all stop shortly. It is amazing though what they do to try to reach you. I couldn't be a debt collector either as I imagine it's almost as frustrating as being on this end!

[Cali]

well they did it illegally for me, because they had all my correct information.

When a debt collector calls a neighbor it's called a nearby (or at least was when I was a debt collector). Technically they are only allowed to do this if they are unable to verify your address and phone number. I believe I saw a post on here somewhere that says to make sure that your answering machine states your name to help with that situation.

For the record, I hated that job and didn't keep it very long after training, I just couldn't be as tough and sometimes sneaky as they wanted me to be. It was also long before I ever was on the receiving end and knew what it felt like to get those calls.

[ichb]

I'm learning more and more that debt collectors try to get away with as much as possible.

[Flamingo]

Flamingo - we've never been audited by the IRS, so if you are audited, they send you a letter via regular mail correct? I'm assuming the calls my ex mother-in-law is receiving are from collection agencies doing everything they can to contact me.

The calls your ex-MIL is getting is someone trying to get through to her posing as the IRS and hoping she will take the calls thinking it IS the IRS; Again, the IRS will not call anyone on the phone nor send an email. They contact via regular US mail. Go to www.irs.gov for further information as to scammers posing as the IRS.

[HRx]

As you probably already know collection agencies earn commissions on whatever they can collect. And due to this many agencies get down right nasty and dirty to collect monies that owed...legally or illegally on many occasions. Keep us updated on how things progress.

[cwillie]

Thanks everyone - I'll keep you posted. I know I can hardly wait to file to stop all this! We should be signing our final papers next week.