Protect Yourself from Tax Fraud Scheme
Tax season gives scammers a fresh opportunity to work hard to steal your personal information and even your tax return. This tax season, be aware of ways that scammers are trying to get your money and sensitive information.
The IRS will never:
Request payment in the form of gift cards, cryptocurrency, wires or prepaid debit cards. Taxes due are paid with personal check to the US Treasury, not a third-party.
Make threats of arrest or deportation. Many impersonators will use scare tactics, such as jail time, as a way to get your personal information.
Contact you via text, email or social media. The IRS mainly uses regular mail to initiate contact.
Call without reason and demand personal information. IRS contact through the phone is rare. If someone does contact you claiming to be from the IRS, ask for a reference number, then hang up and call the IRS to verify.
A few other ways scammers try to get your information during tax time:
They will pose as IRS agents, IRS collections or other government agencies, claiming they need your information.
They will falsify caller ID so that it looks like you’re getting a call or text from the IRS directly. They will claim to be a tax preparer. These are also called “ghost preparers” and are individuals who charge a large fee to file your return. Once you hand over your information, they either disappear or steal your entire return. Use a trusted tax professional, as defined on the IRS’s website.
What should you do if you think you have been scammed?
If you believe you have given out your bank information, contact our Customer Care Center immediately.
You can also file a report online with the FTC for fraudulent calls/texts.
