Beware of Tax Scams
It’s tax season! As you prepare to file, we want you to be aware of common scams and how to avoid them.
If you receive a call, email, text message, or even social media contact from someone claiming to be with the IRS, do not give out your personal information.
The IRS does not...
- ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone or by email.
- demand payment without giving you opportunity to appeal the amount owed. You will generally receive a bill in the mail if you owe any taxes.
- threaten to involve local police and have you arrested for not paying.
Another common scam occurs when personal information is stolen and used to file a fraudulent tax return. After filing the return, fraudsters often attempt to contact the victim and give instructions on how to return the erroneous tax refund they have received. If you follow their instructions, the funds are sent to the criminals, not the IRS. To protect yourself, contact us immediately if you receive a tax refund you were not expecting.
Additional details on tax scams, including how to report them, can be found at www.irs.gov.
