The Tax Man Cometh and So Do Tax Scammers

Article submitted by Office of Denver District Attorney Mitch Morrissey. For assistance call the Denver DA's Fraud Line at 720-913-9179

The IRS is warning U.S. taxpayers about an increase in scams and virus attacks via e-mail, telephone and the Web as the April 15 tax-filing deadline approaches.

SCAMS:

The most common type of scam arrives via e-mail claiming to come from the IRS or Treasury Department. They typically try to either scare consumers into thinking there is an error with their tax filing, or that they are eligible for a tax rebate or benefit from the government economic stimulus package.

"Phishing" e-mails typically arrive in an e-mail that urges users to link to a site, which in turn prompts visitors to enter their personal and financial data, information that is then sent off to identity thieves.

Tax Preparation Services (while mostly legitimate) can file fraudulent tax returns on behalf of their "clients".

THINGS TO REMEMBER:

The IRS does not communicate with taxpayers via unsolicited email.

The IRS never requests passwords, PIN numbers, or other secret access information for bank or credit card accounts.

Do not link on a website address provided in an email. Access the site address through an independent source.

Check out qualifications of any tax preparer and double-check your return to see if the numbers and your social security number are accurate before signing and filing. Be sure the tax preparer personally signs your return.

Get a copy of your completed tax return for your records and never sign a blank tax form or one that is filled out in pencil.

Be aware that "Refund Anticipation Loans" carry up to 500% interest.

As always - please consider Freezing Your Credit File!