IRS Scam- Regular
readers already know about this scam. Simply put, the IRS will not call you
demanding you pay for back taxes or penalties with a pre-paid card. Nor will it
arrest you if you don’t pay right away. If you have not heard of this scam,
here is an alert from the IRS http://www.irs.gov/uac/Newsroom/Scam-Phone-Calls-Continue;-IRS-Identifies-Five-Easy-Ways-to-Spot-Suspicious-Calls.
Inflated Refund Scam- Another
scam to be wary of is a supposed tax preparer promising inflated refunds from
the IRS. According to AARP’s Fraud Watch Network:
“With 60% of taxpayers using professional help in filing
their taxes, people should be suspicious of anyone promising inflated refunds. "Every
filing season, scam artists lure victims in by promising outlandish refunds,”
said IRS Commissioner John Koskinen.
How it works:
• The scammer tells his targets they will
get a large refund saying they qualify for fictitious tax credits, rebates, or
government benefits.
• They may also file a return in the
person’s name and not tell the person that a refund was made – the money goes
straight into the scammers’ bank account.
• These fraudsters may use flyers
distributed door-to-door or in community gathering places, advertisements,
phony store fronts and word of mouth through community groups and churches to
lure their victims.
What to do:
• Watch out for tax preparers who promise a
big refund - maybe even before looking at your records.
• Be careful of supposed tax preparers who
charge fees based on a percentage of the return – this is not a standard
practice and gives the preparer a strong incentive to falsify the return.
• Make sure you get a copy of the return
that was filed – and then track the return (at http://www.irs.gov/Refunds)
on the IRS website.
• And of course, never sign a blank return
– no matter what promises are made!”
Identity Theft Refund
Fraud- The Fraud Watch Network also warns about identity theft refund
fraud:
“Taxpayers also need to watch out for identity theft,
particularly around tax time.
How it works:
• You file your taxes expecting a refund.
• But, you find out that someone else,
using your Social Security number and likely other personal identifying
information, has filed a return in your name.
• Your return is rejected as a
"duplicate" because a refund has already been issued to the scammer.
Also know that scammers will often steal Social Security
numbers and other personal information of people who may not be filing a tax
return—like your children or grandchildren, folks who may not have income to
report, or even the recently deceased. So please share this alert with family
and friends and help them detect and correct fraud!
What to do:
If you think someone used your Social Security number for a
tax refund contact the IRS as soon as possible. Specialists will work with you
to get your tax return filed, get you any refund you are due, and protect your
IRS account from thieves in the future. Go to www.irs.gov/identitytheft or call
800-908-4490. Also if you haven’t received your refund yet, visit
irs.gov/refunds to check your status.”
For more information, go to:
IRS:
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