1. Tax Fraud
8 tips for detecting tax filing scams
T
he April 15 filing deadline can
put some Americans in a panic,
and not just from scrambling to
get their returns filed. Falling victim to
tax fraud can complicate the filing
process and even delay refunds.
The IRS cites a “dirty dozen” list of
scams that taxpayers should look out
for. Some of the scams that top this list
are phone scams, phishing and identity
theft. Phone scams are the most
sophisticated of the bunch, with
scammers sometimes disguising the
number they call from to look like an
official IRS number, and often
threatening arrest or even deportation.
Phishing, when taxpayers or preparers
get unsolicited emails trying to steal
financial or personal information, is also
a security concern. If you receive a
suspicious email, forward it to
phishing@irs.gov and then delete the
email without clicking on links or
opening attachments.
Another sign of fraud is a notification
saying that your state or federal benefits
were reduced or cancelled because the
agency was notified of an income
change.
WARNING SIGNS OF SCAMS
1. Be aware that a representative of
the IRS will never call to demand
immediate payment without the
opportunity to question or appeal.
Nor will they call to inquire about
taxes owed without first mailing you
a bill.
2. Don’t fall for imposters asking you
to use a specific payment method,
such as asking for credit card
number or debit card number over
the phone.
3. Some scammers will impersonate
charities to get money or private
information from the well-
intentioned taxpayer.
4. You should choose your tax preparer
carefully. Be wary of a tax preparer
who does not have a tax ID issued
from the IRS.
5. Be alert if the IRS notifies you that
a tax return for you was filed or if
IRS records indicate you received
more wages than you actually
earned.
6. Don’t give a business your social
security number, Individual
Taxpayer Identification Number
(ITIN) or other personal information
just because you’re asked.
7. If you receive an email from the IRS
that requests personal information,
do not respond and do not open any
attachments.
8. Remember that there is no such
thing as “free money.” Be wary of
scam artists that promise outlandish
refunds.
To report suspected fraud, call the Tax
Fraud Hotline at 800.829.0433 or
contact TIGTA at 800.366.4484 to
report a call.
Sources: irs.gov, dhs.gov
AN APP YOU CAN USE
MyTaxRefund is an
easy-to-use way to
estimate your refund
and track the status of
your filed return. If you
are excited about your refund, the app
also provides a handy countdown fea-
ture about when you can expect your
return to hit the bank.
iPhone | Android
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