Adding to the already voluminous bestiary of IRS-related scams, fraudsters are now calling students demanding payment of a non-existent "federal student tax," warns the IRS. The scammer will call someone, presumably a student, and say that they need to pay this tax immediately through wiring money to an account, or they will be reported to the police.   

“These scams and schemes continue to evolve nationwide, and now they’re trying to trick students,” said IRS Commissioner John Koskinen. “Taxpayers should remain vigilant and not fall prey to these aggressive calls demanding immediate payment of a tax supposedly owed.”

 The IRS reminded people that it will never: 

• Call to demand immediate payment over the phone, nor will the agency call about taxes owed without first having mailed you a bill.
• Threaten to immediately bring in local police or other law-enforcement groups to have you arrested for not paying.
• Demand that you pay taxes without giving you the opportunity to question or appeal the amount they say you owe.
• Require you to use a specific payment method for your taxes, such as a prepaid debit card.
• Ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone.