Consumer Cellular has partnered with Aura to help you keep an eye on credit activity and personal information that can be misused during tax season. If something looks off, Aura also provides step-by-step support to help you respond and sort out next steps. Read on to explore common tax and identity scams or visit the special customer offer from Aura by visiting www.aura.com/consumercellular or calling (877) 338-0352.
People across the U.S. are receiving unsolicited calls and voicemails from groups using names like “Tax Mediation and Resolution Agency” or “Tax Resolution Oversight Department.” According to the FTC, these calls often insist there’s an issue with back taxes or that you qualify for a relief program.
What these imposter scams look like
After the first contact, the caller moves quickly into what sounds like an intake process. They ask you to confirm your Social Security number, filing status, or past tax details so they can “check eligibility” or “look up your file.”
Some callers say they act as intermediaries and will communicate with the IRS on your behalf. They often ask for full copies of tax returns, W-2s, or payment information early in the conversation, before giving you any written documentation. Most of this happens over the phone. You don’t receive an IRS notice number or official paperwork even if you ask for it.
Why this works
When a return is flagged for identity verification or wage matching, the formal notice often arrives weeks later and only by mail. During that window, taxpayers have no notice number to confirm whether there’s an actual problem. That leaves you without a clear way to dismiss what you’re being told over these phony calls. What makes scams harder to spot is how much legitimate verification now happens before money moves.
What to do when the phone rings
- Pull back. Don’t provide information, don’t press keys, and don’t continue the conversation to hear them out. If the call is real, there will be a paper trail you can verify independently. A familiar area code or agency-sounding name doesn’t mean anything.
- Check for an actual issue on your own terms. Log in to your IRS online account or review recent mail before taking any action. If there’s a real problem tied to your return, it will appear there or arrive by mail with a notice number you can reference.
- If someone claims to be a tax preparer or resolution service, verify credentials before sharing anything. Look up the preparer’s PTIN through the IRS directory and confirm how they store and protect sensitive data.
- Report the call, even if you didn’t lose money. The FTC asks consumers to report tax imposter calls at reportfraud.ftc.gov, including the name used by the caller and the callback number. These reports help identify repeat scams that show up nationwide each filing season.
- Don’t rely on third parties to handle IRS contact. Beware of anyone claiming they can manage IRS communication on your behalf without first reviewing an actual IRS notice. The IRS sends notices to you first. Only after that can you authorize someone else to act for you.
Take advantage of Aura’s special offer for Consumer Cellular — prices start at $9/month on annual plans. Save up to 75% when you sign up today. Call Aura at (877) 338-0352 and mention Consumer Cellular to get the deal.