Letter from IRS

[M7047]

New Client received this letter from the IRS. It has her name and address correct, but that's not the last four of her social security number. The second page has 2 years listed that had no filed returns(because she only had social security those years).  Our concern is, is this legit when they don't even have the correct social on it. Does she call and say that's not my number and then scammers have her real number? I'm so leary of fraud anymore. Has anyone else seen where they set up a time for you to call them? Anything I've seen had everything done back and forth in writing. Advice?

[jklcpa]

Well I googled, as usual :), and that is a legit IRS office in Scranton.  The website does list a different ph# within that office, so perhaps this is a real notice and contact info for that agent.

Was that social ever associated with your client's returns ever in any way?  Perhaps a deceased or divorced spouse? Is/was she ever self-employed with an EIN associated with her business where those last 4 digits are related to that?

I think I'd call the number listed on this page to see if this agent is real and the number is legit?  https://www.irsofficesearch.org/irs-office-scranton/#Contact

[Pacun]

sounds like that other social security number has some income to report and as Judy said, that social security is associated with your client.The IRS will not send a letter to someone who only collected social security.

[BulldogTom]

If you are licensed to practice, I would take a POA and then call PPL.   Seems awful fishy that they would set up an appointment for a call on the first contact letter.   I would think that the normal process would be to send a letter asking for the returns to be filed or to respond with a reason they have not been filed.   But these are not "normal" times.

Tom
Longview, TX

[M7047]

 

She claims she doesn't know whose number that is.

I am an accountant, but not a CPA or an EA

I thought this was fishy too. The weird thing is they want her to call them at that time. 

What happens if she doesn't call them....

[Catherine]

She needs to respond to the letter. Confirm the number and agent are legitimate. Then, call that day and have her there on the phone with you to authorize speaking; tell them it's not the last 4 of her ssn, and that you have no idea who it could be but it's not her.