[TrudyM]

Originally Posted by dewilson58

I don't think the notice says "the IRS will never initiate contact with you over the phone"

THEY WILL!!!
Yes there are scams out there, but the IRS can and does contact you initially by phone.
Over the last ten years, I have been contacted by the IRS initially by phone. It's no big deal, they give you their ID number and you verify it with the IRS office, and they send you a follow up letter. Both times the initial call was very pleasant and they just needed to clarify some information.

Please stop saying they will never.
Thanks

At which point I tell them that due to the large number of scams I will only talk in person to an IRS agent and to send me an appointment for my local office.

I have also when in a mood given the scam callers a fright also. We use to work defense dept projects and calls were monitored so I tell them they still are and they will be contacted by the NSA or I ask them for their social security number and pretend I work for the IRS, boy do they hang up fast.