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Most Recent Scams

  • Dec 31, 2016
  • 2 min read

Tax Preparer Phishing Scam

A bogus email asks tax professionals to update their IRS e-services portal information and Electronic Filing Identification Numbers (EFINs). The links that are provided in the bogus email to access IRS e-services appear to be a phishing scheme designed to capture your username and password. This email was not generated by the IRS e-services program. Disregard this email and do not click on the links provided.

For more information on this scam, see IR-2015-31, IRS Warns Tax Preparers to Watch out for New Phishing Scam; Don’t Click on Strange Emails or Links Seeking Updated Information.

IRS-Impersonation Telephone Scam

An aggressive and sophisticated phone scam targeting taxpayers, including recent immigrants, has been making the rounds throughout the country. Callers claim to be employees of the IRS, but are not. These con artists can sound convincing when they call. They use fake names and bogus IRS identification badge numbers. They may know a lot about their targets, and they usually alter the caller ID to make it look like the IRS is calling. Victims are told they owe money to the IRS and it must be paid promptly through a pre-loaded debit card or wire transfer. If the victim refuses to cooperate, they are then threatened with arrest, deportation or suspension of a business or driver’s license. In many cases, the caller becomes hostile and insulting.

Or, victims may be told they have a refund due to try to trick them into sharing private information.

If the phone isn't answered, the scammers often leave an “urgent” callback request.

Note that the IRS will never: 1) call to demand immediate payment, nor will the agency call about taxes owed without first having mailed you a bill; 2) demand that you pay taxes without giving you the opportunity to question or appeal the amount they say you owe; 3) require you to use a specific payment method for your taxes, such as a prepaid debit card; 4) ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone; or 5) threaten to bring in local police or other law-enforcement groups to have you arrested for not paying.

 
 
 

Comments

Choose INMAN tax services: 

 

Fraud from Tax Preparers is a huge issue these days. The fraud is involuntary as well as voluntary.

 

With the involuntary fraud comes preparers taking advantage of the client's lack of knowledge of understanding the forms.  As a result, children are added, companies are manufactured with expenses and credits are forced that the client is not eligible to receive.

 

In the end, the client is held responsible when an audit is performed, because they signed the income tax forms, saying they understood and accepted what was submitted. I've seen this cause devestation to people's lives.

 

The other fraud that is voluntary is often quite easy due to peoples concern of having more cash rather than filing your return correctly. As a result, preparer adds on false deductions and manipulate the Earned Income Credit.

 

 It's not worth the price you pay when the IRS contacts you for a review of what was submitted. This will lead to return of refund overage, penaltites, interest and fees.

 

Let Inman Tax Services file your taxes correctly. We provide accountability, support and guidance.

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