Scams Targeting Taxpayers
Thousands of people have lost millions of dollars and their personal information to tax scams. Scammers use the regular mail, telephone, or email to set up individuals, businesses, payroll and tax professionals.
The IRS doesn’t initiate contact with taxpayers by email, text messages or social media channels to request personal or financial information. Recognize the telltale signs of a scam. See also: How to know it’s really the IRS calling or knocking on your door
Scams Targeting Taxpayers
With hurricane season underway, IRS warns of scams related to natural disasters
With hurricane season underway, the Internal Revenue Service is reminding taxpayers that criminals and scammers often try to take advantage of the generosity of taxpayers who want to help victims of major disasters. See IR-2018-132.
IRS continues warning on impersonation scams; reminds people to remain alert to other scams, schemes this summer
With tax season completed, the Internal Revenue Service warned taxpayers to remain vigilant for phishing emails and telephone scams. Summertime tends to be a favorite period for scammers because many taxpayers have recently filed a return and may be waiting for a response from the IRS. See IR-2018-129and FS-2018-12.
IRS, Security Summit Partners warn of new twist on phone scam; crooks direct taxpayers to IRS.gov to “verify” calls
The IRS warns of a new twist on an old phone scam as criminals use telephone numbers that mimic IRS Taxpayer Assistance Centers to trick taxpayers into paying non-existent tax bills. See IR-2018-103.
IRS warning: Don’t be a victim of ‘ghost’ tax return preparers
A ghost preparer is paid to prepare a tax return but does not sign it as the paid preparer. These phantom preparers who won’t put their name on the tax return are a warning sign for taxpayers of a potential scam. See IR-2018-89.
IRS, Summit Partners warn on tax deadline scams, ‘IRS Refunds’ email
The “IRS Refunds” scam is a common tactic used by cybercriminals to trick people into opening a link or attachment associated with the email that takes people to a fake page where thieves try to steal personally identifiable information. See IR-2018-88.
Scam Alert: IRS Urges Taxpayers to Watch Out for Erroneous Refunds; Beware of Fake Calls to Return Money to a Collection Agency
After stealing client data from tax professionals and filing fraudulent tax returns, criminals use the taxpayers’ real bank accounts for the deposit. Thieves are then using various tactics to reclaim the refund from the taxpayers, and their versions of the scam may continue to evolve. See IR-2018-27.
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To read about even more scams and how to protect yourself, read the original article at irs.gov: Scams Targeting Taxpayers