Scams continue to plague law enforcement, banks, credit card companies, banks and the IRS, especially this time of year. While a previous segment in this series on scams focused on phone scams this segment will focus on scams related to the Internal Revenue Service.
Marshella Norell, owner of the local H & R Block tax services in Mountain Home, says each year the IRS warns the public about the latest tax scam, whether made online through the email or by phone. Often the scammer will represent themselves as an IRS agent demanding immediate payment of back taxes, with the threat of arrest for noncompliance. Norell says the IRS will never contact anyone by phone or email.
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IRS scams often involve identity theft, according to Norell. She says scammers can steal identities through fictitious emails.
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Once the scammer has secured identity information, they can begin filing false income tax returns in the name of the unsuspecting victim. These false income tax filings can take up to a year to correct, according to Norell.
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She says it is important to choose a reputable company or person when filing tax returns to avoid becoming a victim of identity theft.
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The best protection against being scammed is not to respond to demands by phone or email for anyone saying they represent the IRS, identity theft protection and filing income tax statements early, even if payment is owed to the IRS. She says anyone who owes the IRS money has until April 15, or the 18th this year, to pay, even when filing an early return.
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