Local officials are reminding citizens that tax return time is a peak season for scammers.
Caldwell County Sheriff Stan Hudson says that as citizens begin electronically filing their state and federal income taxes they need to prepare for an increase in scam calls.
Tax season scams typically involve scammers pretending to be an Internal Revenue Service (IRS) agent. The so called agent claims that they need to verify the victim’s personal and financial information over the phone or insists that the victim owes back taxes. Once the scammer has the victim’s information, they can steal tax returns and other funds by changing the deposit to a reloadable money card.
Not only do IRS scams increase during this time, con artists also try to take advantage of victims through other local, state, and federal agencies.
Sheriff Hudson says to never share your personal or financial information over the phone and know that the IRS, and other local, state, or federal agencies, will never call and request money over the phone or ask you to send money via wire transfer, cash, or gift cards. He adds that if you ever receive a call from someone pretending to be with a local, state, or federal agency, hang-up and independently verify the correct number and dial it. He notes that following these tips should help you avoid falling victim to scammers this tax season.
However, if you believe you have been a victim of a tax return theft contact the IRS directly at 800-908-4490. To report a scam you can call the Sheriff’s Office at 270-365-2088.
