Tax time: Information on IRS tax scam calls

“We continue to work cooperatively with our partners on this issue, and we have taken steps to strengthen our processing systems and fraud filters to watch for scam artists trying to use stolen information to file bogus tax returns”. Many of them got it not once, but twice and some, even three times.

The IRS says that tax related email phishing and malware scams have surged 400 percent this tax season.

David Quinlan at the Western Washington BBB says it’s called the Scam Tracker…and it’s catching on nationwide. Some people were told they were being taken to court, others were warned that a police officer was on the way to their house, and still others were scared into believing that their home was under surveillance. New security requirements are in place when preparing taxes online, especially when people sign in to their tax software account, to better protect accounts and personal information. Never provide them with banking or personal information as the IRS will not make a notification such as this by phone, and legitimate prize winnings will not require sharing this type of information. Remember, the first contact from the IRS will be through the mail.

Similar to previous year, meeting the tax obligation of the Affordable Care Act for the vast majority of taxpayers will simply mean checking a box to verify everyone on their return has health coverage. While the Internet generation may be computer savvy, they also are inviting targets because most have little or no experience with filing federal income taxes. Many of these callers threaten the victim with lawsuits, deportation, arrest or suspension of their driver’s license if the victim does not provide immediate payment.

Victims should report the scam directly to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration.

If death and taxes are the only two certainties in life, phishing-scam emails are becoming a reliable third. They’re urging everyone to be on high alert.

“The number of people receiving these calls from individuals who fraudulently claim to represent the IRS is growing at an alarming rate”, George said. It would certainly not request sensitive information, like PINs and Social Security numbers, by unsecured email.

“What they’re trying to do is play upon your fears”, he said. By sticking together, we can outsmart the crooks!