As reported by the Washington Times, Internal Revenue Service Commissioner John Koskinen admitted this week that the agency uses secret cellphone tracking systems, known as cell-site simulators, or StingRays, to collect information about people they are investigating. This finding has sparked an inquiry by two top U.S. senators into the use of these tracking systems.
Advances in information collection technology and the ever-changing landscape of legal tax issues in America makes it more important than ever to take the necessary precautions to protect your rights. If you are under the watchful eye of the IRS, it is important to know your rights and to consult a legal tax professional to investigate your legal options.
Information regarding the Internal Revenue Service’s use of cellphone tracking systems was unearthed “after a report by The Guardian that indicated the IRS has spent more than $71,000 to upgrade a version of the device and to receive training from a company that manufactures the devices.”
“Cell site-simulators work by mimicking cellphone towers to trick cellphones to connect to them, enabling investigators to obtain identifying information about the phones and their locations,” reports Andrea Noble of the Washington times.
Mr. Koskinen stated that the systems “primarily allow you to see point-to-point, where communications are taking place,” but does not allow users to listen in on conversations. However, users “may pick up texting.”
If you have received an IRS notice and fear you may be under investigation, take action right now and contact the tax lawyers, including a former IRS trial attorney, at Anderson & Jahde to confront the issue before it’s too late.