As soon as news of a potential tax rebate hit the news, scamsters began cooking up ways to swindle U.S. taxpayers. Using the stimulus payment as bait, these individuals devise ways to trick people into giving out personal information that they in turn use to steal identities. In light of this surge in fraudulent activity, the IRS cautioned U.S. taxpayers about various e-mail and telephone scams that use the IRS name.
The IRS warns that a scam artist might use an individual’s information to:
- Steal money out of bank accounts
- Apply for loans, credit cards, or services
- Fraudulently use credit cards online
Tax Season: An Opportune Time for Identity Theft Scams
Unscrupulous scam artists have devised brilliant ways of sounding legitimate. The IRS has identified several scam scenarios involving phone calls or emails.
Scam #1: Tax Rebate Phone Call. The caller will pose as an IRS employee and state that he or she needs a taxpayer’s bank account information in order to deposit a tax rebate check. The target may be told that he or she is eligible for a large rebate only by filing taxes early and electing to use direct deposit.
Scam #2: Income Tax Refund Email. This email will look as though it is from the IRS, and it will include a link to access a refund claim form.
Scam #3: IRS Audit Email. This scam involves a bogus email notice stating that the IRS wants to audit an individual’s tax return. The email includes a link that takes the individual to a form where personal information is entered.
Scam #4: Tax Refund Check Phone Call. The taxpayer receives a phone call from someone posing as IRS employee. The imposter will claim that they sent a refund check to the taxpayer that has yet to be cashed, and since the check hasn’t been cashed yet, they will ask to verify the taxpayer’s bank account information.
Curb Identity Theft: Remember These Basic Rules about the IRS
Awareness of a few key facts will help individuals determine whether or not they are being scammed.
A basic rule is to not give out personal bank or other account information over the phone. The IRS will not call to verify bank account information. It’s a taxpayer’s responsibility to indicate the correct bank account information on their tax return. In fact, the IRS does not care whether or not a refund check is cashed. Taxpayers can check income tax refund status by calling the IRS or using the "Where's My Refund" module on the IRS website.
Despite what a person claims, just remember that:
- The IRS already knows Social Security numbers that are reported on tax returns.
- Direct deposit is never required by the IRS.
- Bank deposit information is requested on an actual tax form, not verbally.
Another basic rule is to never click on a link within an email to access the IRS website. The only way to ensure access to the actual IRS website is to type the website name directly into a web browser. Furthermore, according to the IRS, taxpayers will not be contacted via unsolicited email about tax account matters.
The IRS has identified other scams that target non-profit organizations, businesses, and financial professionals; the ones listed above are primarily geared toward individuals. Further information about all identified tax scams can be found on the IRS website.
Source: IRS Website
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