According to nerdwallet.com, here are some of the latest tax scams to look out for.
1. We recalculated your tax refund and you need to fill out this form'
These scam emails display the IRS logo and use subject lines such as "Tax Refund Payment" or "Recalculation of your tax refund payment." It asks people to click a link and provide their Social Security numbers, birthday, address, driver's license number and other personal information in order to submit a fake form to allegedly claim their refund. These scammers may also sometimes use a ".edu" email address to target college students.
2. 'We're calling to tell you your identity was stolen; you need to buy some gift cards to fix it'
In this trick, a criminal calls the victim and poses as an IRS agent. The criminal claims the victim's identity has been stolen and that it was used to open fake bank accounts. The caller then tells the taxpayer to go buy certain gift cards; later, the crook gets back in touch and asks for the gift card access numbers.
3. 'We'll cancel your Social Security number'
In this IRS scam, the criminal contacts the victim and claims that he or she can suspend or cancel the victim’s Social Security number. "If taxpayers receive a call threatening to suspend their SSN for an unpaid tax bill, they should just hang up," the IRS says.
4. 'This is the Bureau of Tax Enforcement, and we're putting a lien or levy on your assets'
There is no Bureau of Tax Enforcement. Victims often receive a letter from the fake agency claiming that they have a tax lien or tax levy and that they had better pay the “Bureau of Tax Enforcement” or else.
5. 'If you don’t call us back, you’ll be arrested'
Criminals can make a caller ID phone number look like it's coming from anywhere — including from the IRS, the local police or some other intimidating source. But the IRS doesn’t leave prerecorded voicemails, especially ones that claim to be urgent or are threatening. Also, the IRS can’t revoke your driver’s license, business licenses or immigration status.
6. 'Click here to see some details about your tax refund'
These emails are intended to trick the reader into clicking on links that lead to a fake IRS-like website and expose the user to malware. The IRS never emails taxpayers about the status of their tax refunds.
7. 'We’re from the Taxpayer Advocate Service and we need some information'
The Taxpayer Advocate Service is a legitimate organization within the IRS that helps people get assistance with IRS problems. But it doesn’t call taxpayers for no reason. Criminals are making phone calls look like they’re coming from the TAS office in Houston or Brooklyn, according to the IRS, and when taxpayers return the calls — which often tell victims they’re entitled to a large tax refund — the criminals ask for personal information such as a Social Security number.
8. 'Click on this to see your tax transcript'
In this scam, fraudsters send an email with an attachment they claim is the taxpayer’s tax transcript. (A tax transcript is a summary of a person’s tax return.) Although tax transcripts are a real thing that the IRS provides, the IRS does not email tax transcripts.
If someone calls you from the IRS? The odds are high it's a scammer. The IRS reaches out to taxpayers through regular mail, not phone calls, texts, or email messages. And IRS agents will never call you and ask for your Social Security number or other personal information.
If you get such a call? Hang up. You can then call the IRS back to see if there really are any problems with your tax returns.
