The Internal Revenue Service and the Minnesota Department of Revenue are warning taxpayers about identity theft scams circulating through emails and text messages.
Both tax collection agencies say they know of phishing schemes, which use unsolicited notifications to steal personal or financial information. The bogus notices typically try to lure taxpayers to fake Web sites or email addresses, where thieves actually steal the information.
“The IRS won’t send you an email about a bill or refund out of the blue,” IRS Commissioner John Koskinen warned in an announcement.
Minnesota Revenue said one new phishing fraud now is coming through text messages. The messages refer to filing a return with the “Minnesota state tax office.” Be wary of texts from tax preparation services or tax software companies – especially those that you have not used to file a return, the agency said.
One recent phishing scam tried to trick tax preparers into revealing user names and passwords used to enter the IRS’s electronic filing and services system. An email asked them to update their individual IDs with the agency, the IRS said.
In another scheme last fall, taxpayers received phone calls from identity thieves posing as IRS workers. They gave out fake IRS badge numbers and altered caller IDs to make it appear that it was an IRS call.
The IRS has opened an email address for tax pros and taxpayers to report phishing scams. It is [email protected].
Here are some other signs of a scam. The IRS says it will NOT:
o Call or email to demand immediate payment, or call about any taxes owed without first sending a bill.
o Require prepaid debit cards or any other specific type of payment.
o Ask for debit or credit card numbers on the phone.
o Threaten to bring in local police to arrest you for not paying taxes.
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