Buzz
Tax fraud schemes emerge each year, and the IRS has recently highlighted a particularly common one making the rounds this season. Fraudsters are calling taxpayers, claiming they need to confirm a few details to process the return.
The IRS stated:
In recent weeks, a new scam has been circulating, taking advantage of the current tax season. Fraudsters call and claim they have your tax return, asking to confirm a few details to process it. This trick is designed to steal personal information, like Social Security numbers or sensitive financial data, such as bank account details or credit card numbers.
IRS Commissioner John Koskinen emphasized that they will never contact you out of nowhere to request personal information. If you're receiving unsolicited phone calls claiming to be from the IRS, you are most likely being targeted by scammers, so do not share your details.
If you or someone you know is receiving these calls, the IRS advises reporting them to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration or the Federal Trade Commission. It's always wise to stay alert during this time of year.
Image courtesy of Kai Chan Vong.
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