IRS Issues Tax Scam Warnings
Tax season is under way with Forms 1099 and W-2 already in mailboxes, and the Internal Revenue Service has also issued its annual list of the most common tax-related scams, called the dirty dozen. At the top of the list is identity theft, followed by potential tax swindles pitched by phone and email. Mike Dobzinski with the IRS says to beware of IRS imposters telling you something like this.
Dobzinski says with personal information on W-2 forms and others in mailboxes this time of year, it isn’t hard for scammers to steal it, and even attempt to file taxes in your name to claim your refund before you can get to it.
Other tax deceptions on the dirty dozen list include schemes to hide money offshore, and false promises of free money for inflated refunds. Of the identity theft cases it tracks, the Federal Trade Commission’s Consumer Sentinel Network says in 2013, 30% were related to tax or wage fraud.
Tax season is under way with Forms 1099 and W-2 already in mailboxes, and the Internal Revenue Service has also issued its annual list of the most common tax-related scams, called the dirty dozen. At the top of the list is identity theft, followed by potential tax swindles pitched by phone and email. Mike Dobzinski with the IRS says to beware of IRS imposters telling you something like this:
“‘You owe ‘X’ amount of dollars. If you don’t pay up, we’re going to arrest you, take you to jail. We’ll deport you, revoke your license,’ and a whole bunch of threatening tactics.” Dobzinski adds “The IRS just doesn’t make these kinds of calls.” He says with personal information on W-2 forms and others in mailboxes this time of year, it isn’t hard for scammers to steal it, and even attempt to file taxes in your name to claim your refund before you can get to it.
“I recommend contacting the Internal Revenue Service if you get a letter that’s addressed incorrectly to you. It’s possible that a return has been filed in your name. You may not know that, but that may be the first tip-off.”
Other tax deceptions on the dirty dozen list include schemes to hide money offshore, and false promises of free money for inflated refunds. Of the identity theft cases it tracks, the Federal Trade Commission’s Consumer Sentinel Network says in 2013, 30% were related to tax or wage fraud.
