Be aware of the Alert 1019 Scam Calls, where scammers falsely claim that you owe federal back taxes and can have them dismissed through a non-existent Federal Economic Recovery Policy. 📞 These scam calls, often delivered as urgent and authoritative messages, direct you to visit a specific website, alert1019.com, supposedly to resolve your tax issues. ⚠️ However, this is a ploy to steal personal and financial information.
In this article, we will reveal how this scam operates, the warning signs to look out for, and crucial steps you can take to protect yourself from becoming a victim of such fraudulent calls.
Table of Contents
🚨 Is the Alert 1019 Call a Scam?
🚨 YES. The Alert 1019 call, claiming to dismiss federal back taxes through a fictional policy, is a scam. It targets individuals with false claims of unpaid taxes, using fear and urgency for manipulation. The scam directs to alert1019.com, ostensibly to resolve tax issues, but the true aim is to steal personal and financial information.
An Alert 1019 Scam Call (Transcript):
Hello. This is an authoritative notice regarding potential federal back taxes you may owe. The intent of this message is to advise you of possible impending tax liens and bank levies. However, using the newly introduced Federal Economic Recovery Policy, you can prevent these liens and levies by choosing to act accordingly. You will not need to repay the overdue taxes. They will simply be classified as noncollectible and dismissed. Once your request is processed, act promptly and navigate to the website www. Dot alert 10 19 dot to move ahead with the process. Again that website spelled-out is you www the letters ALERT then the number is 1019 . com. So it reads alert1019.com. This call will now terminate and the message will be marked as delivered. Thank you for your attention.
🚩 Signs of a Scam in the Alert 1019 Call:
- 📞 Unexpected Phone Calls: Receiving calls without prior notice. Real tax agencies usually contact through official letters or secure emails, not random calls.
- ⚠️ Threatening Legal Consequences: The call uses threats like ‘tax liens’ and ‘bank levies’ to instill fear and urgency, unlike legitimate tax communications.
- 🚫 Non-Existent Policies or Programs: The call mentions a ‘Federal Economic Recovery Policy’ for tax dismissal, which is fictional. Real tax programs can be verified on official government sites.
- 💻 Directing to a Specific Website: Victims are urged to visit alert1019.com, not a secure government portal, for tax issues—a clear red flag.
- 🕵️♂️ Requesting Sensitive Information Online: The associated website may ask for personal or financial details, which genuine tax agencies do not do via unsecured online platforms.
- 📝 Lack of Personalized Information: The call lacks specific details about the recipient’s tax situation, a common feature in authentic tax agency communications.
- 🚨 High Pressure to Act Fast: The scam pressures quick action to prevent victims from researching or seeking advice.
- 🧐 Vague or Misleading Language: General terms and lack of precise tax law or personal tax history information are used, unlike the clear and specific language of genuine tax communications.
- ❌ Errors or Inconsistencies: Factual inaccuracies or misrepresentations in the call about tax legislation or procedures are signs of a scam.
- 🔍 Non-Verifiable Contact Information: The phone number or website in the scam is not linked to any real tax authority, a significant red flag.
In summary, the Alert1019 call is a deceptive tactic to exploit fears about tax issues. It masquerades as a government policy for credibility but is actually aimed at data theft. Its approach of threats and urgency is typical of scams. Vigilance and avoiding sharing personal info in response to such calls is crucial. For genuine tax concerns, contacting official tax authorities is always the safer choice.
🕵️♂️ How the Alert 1019 Call Scam Works
The Alert 1019 call is a carefully orchestrated telephone scam, manipulating individuals with the false claim of resolving supposed federal back taxes. Here’s a detailed breakdown of how this scam operates:
📞 Initial Contact
The scam begins with an unsolicited phone call. The caller claims to be delivering an important message about federal back taxes that the recipient supposedly owes.
⏱️ Creating a Sense of Urgency
The call uses threatening language about potential tax liens and bank levies. This tactic is designed to create a sense of urgency and fear, pressuring the recipient to act quickly.
🚫 Introducing a Fake Solution
The scammer introduces a non-existent ‘Federal Economic Recovery Policy’. They falsely claim that under this policy, the recipient’s tax debts can be classified as non-collectible and dismissed.
💻 Directing to a Phishing Website
Victims are instructed to visit alert1019.com to proceed with the process. This website is a front for the scam, designed to extract personal and financial information.
🕵️♂️ Information Harvesting
On the website, victims are prompted to enter sensitive information, such as their name, social security number, and possibly credit card or bank details.
💳 Identity Theft and Fraud
The information collected is then used for fraudulent activities, such as identity theft, unauthorized transactions, or selling the information to third parties.
🚷 No Follow-Up
After the initial contact, there is typically no further communication from the scammers. Victims may be left unaware that they have been scammed until they notice unauthorized activities on their accounts or receive alerts from financial institutions.
💡 Beware of Similar Scams
Scams like the Alert 1019 Call are not unique. There are several similar schemes, each with its unique approach but the same goal: to deceive and defraud. Here are a few notable ones:
💰 Central Refund Department Scam Calls
In this scam, callers claim to be from a ‘Central Refund Department,’ suggesting that the recipient is entitled to a refund. The catch is they ask for bank account details to process the refund, which is a ploy to steal financial information.
👮♂️ Officer Schultz Scam Call ‘Press 1’
This scam involves a pre-recorded message claiming to be from ‘Officer Schultz,’ instructing the recipient to press 1 to avoid legal consequences. Once the victim presses 1, they are asked for personal information or money, usually under the guise of clearing a warrant or resolving a legal issue.
✈️ United Airlines Refund Scam Call
In this scam, callers pose as representatives from United Airlines, offering refunds for canceled flights. They request personal and financial information, supposedly to process the refund, but their real intention is to commit identity theft or financial fraud.
📝 Key Takeaways: These scams, including the Alert 1019 Call, exploit familiar names or invoke authority to gain trust. They create scenarios that prompt quick action, like offering refunds, resolving legal issues, or claiming unpaid debts. The common thread is the request for personal or financial information under false pretenses. Awareness and skepticism are crucial when receiving unexpected calls, especially those asking for sensitive information or money.
😱 What to Do If You Fall Victim to a Scam: Immediate Actions
If you realize that you’ve fallen victim to a scam like the Alert 1019 Call or similar schemes, it’s important to act swiftly and strategically. Here are specific steps you should take:
💳 Contact Your Financial Institutions
Immediately get in touch with your bank or credit card company. Inform them about the scam and any transactions that may have been fraudulent. They can help secure your accounts and prevent further unauthorized access.
🔐 Change Your Online Passwords
If you shared any passwords, change them as soon as possible. This includes passwords for online banking, email accounts, and any other significant online presence.
🚔 Report to Authorities
File a report with your local police or the appropriate legal authorities. For financial scams, also report to your country’s financial regulatory authority or the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in the United States.
📊 Alert the Credit Bureaus
Contact major credit bureaus (like Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion in the U.S.) and place a fraud alert on your credit reports. This makes it harder for fraudsters to open new accounts in your name.
📑 Check Your Credit Reports
Regularly review your credit reports for any unusual activities or unauthorised accounts. You are entitled to free credit reports from the major bureaus, and monitoring them can help catch identity theft early.
🚩 Beware of Follow-Up Scams
Be cautious of secondary scams. Scammers may target victims again, pretending to offer help or a solution to the scam.
📚 Educate Yourself About Scams
Learn more about how scams operate. Being informed can help you recognize and avoid future scams.
🗣️ Inform Others
Share your experience with friends and family. Raising awareness can help prevent others from becoming victims.
📄 Keep Documentation
Keep all records of the scam, including emails, phone call logs, and any other correspondence. This documentation can be useful for law enforcement and financial institutions.
🛡️ Consider Professional Help
If the scam has led to significant financial loss or identity theft, you might want to seek legal advice or professional services that specialize in identity theft recovery.
Summary Table
| Name | Alert 1019 Scam Call |
| Type | Telephone phishing scam |
| Fake Claims | Claims recipients owe federal back taxes and can have them dismissed under a non-existent Federal Economic Recovery Policy. |
| Disguise | Poses as an authoritative notice from a government agency or a tax-related organization. |
| Scammers’ websites | alert1019.com (primary) and potentially other linked malicious sites for phishing and data harvesting. |
| Scammers’ phone numbers | alert1019.com (primary) and potentially other linked malicious sites for phishing and data harvesting. |
| Damage | (458) 272-0907, (916) 627-1598 |
| Distribution | Distributed through unsolicited phone calls, often using automated messages. |
| Indicators of the scam | Unsolicited calls, fear tactics (threats of tax liens, levies), directing to a non-government website, requesting personal/financial information. |
| Prevention Tips | Do not respond to unsolicited calls, verify information through official channels, never share personal information over unsecured channels, use caller ID and spam filters. |
| Reporting Info | Report to local law enforcement, financial institutions; In the U.S., consider reporting to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at reportfraud.ftc.gov. |
Conclusion
The Alert 1019 scam is a deceptive operation that preys on fears about tax debts to illicitly obtain personal and financial information. These scam calls, falsely offering tax debt reduction or dismissal, should be met with skepticism and caution.
It’s essential to recognize the signs of such scams: unsolicited calls, directives to specific websites, and too-good-to-be-true promises. Always verify any tax-related communication through official channels and never share personal information over the phone with unknown callers.
By staying informed and vigilant, you can safeguard yourself against these and other fraudulent schemes. Remember, reliable tax matters should only be addressed through official correspondence from legitimate tax authorities. 🛡️🔍
