Taxes and Security: The New Scam


         It has been less than 1 month since the official start of the IRS accepting Tax Returns, and there is already a new scam that is wreaking havoc! It is quite devious and uses some new, as well as, old tricks in order to steal identities and money from Taxpayers.

In its first stage, thieves will target the computers of Tax Preparers in order to steal completed Tax Return data from previous years. They will use this to quickly create and submit a fraudulent Return. At this stage they can be stopped. If the preparer recognizes the breach they must contact local police, the IRS, and the FBI. Doing so may prevent the Tax Return from being processed and stop this crime in its tracks. If it cannot be stopped at this point, then the scam moves into its next phase.
 
         The illegal Refunds are being sent to Taxpayers. Soon afterward, someone will call posing as an IRS agent or a debt collector and state that the Refund should be returned to a place of their choosing. Threats will also be made to encourage cooperation. This is never a tactic of the IRS, and they never initiate contact by means of phone calls. However, if you have received an unexpected refund, it means that you are a victim and you must act quickly. You should go to your bank and discuss the situation, since criminals certainly have your banking information if you have received a Direct Deposit. Give back this “Refund” as soon as possible. You can use certain IRS forms that declare you are a victim of Identity Theft when returning the funds to an IRS service center. The Financial landscape is ever changing and we must adapt to it. Sadly, this means we must adjust to dealing with criminals waiting to ambush us with new schemes.

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