How to be Aware of Financial Scams during Tax Season

It is time to sharpen your pencils and load tax software onto your computer. The deadline for completing your federal and state tax returns is weeks away. The IRS often warns taxpayers to be on the lookout for scam artists who pretend to work for the federal government agency. If you are in doubt whether your notice is authentic from the IRS, then contact your local federal office for verification. Here are some situations to be suspicious of.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

How to be Alerted to Financial Scams During Tax Season

1. You receive a phone call from "an IRS employee." He says you are eligible for a "rebate" or bonus money for filing your taxes early. The phone caller will request your bank account information so the money can be directly deposited into your account. Remember, the IRS never gathers information over the telephone.
2. An email is sent to you stating that you are eligible for a tax refund. It will include a link to an official-looking site that will instruct you to fill out a "refund" claim form. Do not respond; the IRS does not send unsolicited emails to secure tax information.
3. You receive an email promising $80 to you for completing a customer satisfaction survey that will require your social security, bank account and credit card numbers.
4. You receive a letter stating that you are "under audit" by the IRS. To correct the situation, you will need to divulge your personal financial information immediately.