It is highly likely that the phone number (909) 588-5512 is associated with a tax debt relief marketing group that is engaging in practices commonly identified with a nationwide tax scam.
Here’s why:
“Nationwide Tax” Context:
- When paired with a phone number, “Nationwide Tax” (or similar names like “Nationwide Tax Relief,” “National Tax Debt”) usually refers to companies that cold-call or use aggressive advertising to offer to reduce or eliminate tax debt.
Tax Relief Scams:
- These groups often employ high-pressure sales tactics to convince people they qualify for special IRS programs (like the Offer in Compromise), charge large, non-refundable upfront fees, and then provide minimal service. This is a common form of “scam” or highly predatory business practice, as highlighted by the IRS and FTC warnings (see previous response).
IRS/Government Contact Rule:
- The IRS does not cold-call or initiate contact by phone to demand payment or offer services like tax debt relief. Any unsolicited call about an unresolved tax matter is a major red flag for a scam.
Area Code:
- The (909) area code is for Southern California, which is a common location for many large call centers, including legitimate businesses and those running questionable marketing schemes.
If you received a call or message from (909) 588-5512 claiming to be about your tax debt:
- DO NOT engage with them. Hang up immediately.
- DO NOT give them any personal or financial information.
- If you genuinely owe back taxes, contact the IRS directly at their official phone number 1-800-829-1040 to discuss your options.
You can report this number and the call to:
- The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
- The Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) at 1-800-366-4484 if they claimed to be the IRS.
Key Warning Signs:
Big, Guaranteed Refunds:
- They promise an unusually large refund that seems too good to be true, often in the thousands of dollars.
Falsifying Information:
- They might encourage you to:
- Claim fake businesses or losses (Schedule C fraud).
- Claim credits you don’t qualify for (like the Fuel Tax Credit or certain refundable credits).
- Claim fake dependents or withholding amounts.
- They might encourage you to:
“Ghost” Preparers:
- They don’t sign the return, leaving you solely responsible when the IRS audits and finds the errors.
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