Beware of Tax-Related SCAMS!

Be on the lookout for Tax scams during Tax Season!

During this time of year, tax-related scams are common. Criminals frequently pose as the Internal Revenue Service, a tax accounting server or other tax-related agency. You may receive fake emails, phone calls, letters or other communications from these people trying to induce you to providing information that they can use to exploit you or a member of your family.

What Should I Watch For?

Be on high alert for phony e-mails that attempt to steal information from your computer such as names, passwords and other valuable information. Watch for unsolicited communications (email, text messages, letters or phone calls) that asks for your Social security Number, banking information or other personal data. Those should raise an immediate red flag for you.

email, text messages, phone calls, social media – the bad guys will use them all!

Here are some frequently asked questions that can help protect you from these tax-related scams:

Q. What if I get an email from the IRS?

A. The IRS will never initiate contact with you via e-mail, text messages or social media! Never respond to these attempts to reach you. When in doubt, call the IRS via phone to confirm anything you get that is questionable. NEVER click on a link in one of these emails or REPLY to them either.[spacer height=”10px”]

Q. What should I do if I discover a website claiming to be the IRS that I suspect is not legitimate?

A. Don’t clink on any links, download any files or submit any information. Send the URL to phishing@irs.gov to report any suspicious sites.[spacer height=”10px”]

Q. Fraudsters frequently call people with threats or intimidating language looking for payments. What should I do if I receive an unsolicited phone call or letter claiming to be from the IRS that I suspect could possibly be a fake?

A. Call the IRS yourself to confirm any questionable activity yourself. You can also visit www.irs.gov/uas/report-phishing for phone numbers and other tips.[spacer height=”10px”]

Q. What if I receive a suspicious tax-related email while at work, should I notify my company?

A. Yes, absolutely! You should follow your organizations guidelines for reporting suspicious emails. [spacer height=”10px”]

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Q. What if I get an e-mail at work asking for a duplicate copy of someone’s W-2?

A. Contact your manager or HR department immediately! Never send copies of a W-2 or any tax-related coworker information.[spacer height=”10px”]

Q. Are there any trusted resources that I can use to identify email scams or phony IRS websites?

A. Yes, the IRS website has many examples of email scams and websites.
     Go to https://www.irs.gov/privacy-disclosure/report-phishing.

Want to learn more about the latest scams?  Click Here to see the latest IRS scam info.