Scam artists prey on their victims all year long, but scam activity seems to spike during tax season. It must be “prime time” to snare victims because they are more abundant – everyone is preparing and filing their returns to meet the April 15 deadline. Scammers can’t resist all those opportunities to fool or intimidate taxpayers who are in the middle of an unpleasant task that makes them nervous and vulnerable, especially online.
Since 2014, the IRS has announced its “Dirty Dozen” top tax scams. The top twelve for 2020 include five scams that are more likely to occur during tax season, targeting taxpayers with malicious intent to steal their refunds, bank account number, or personal information. Here are alerts to watch out for on the five tax-related scams highlighted by the IRS:
- Phishing: Taxpayers should be alert to potential fake emails looking to steal personal information. Don’t click on links claiming to be from the IRS, or any other sender you’re not expecting or that you do not know. Be wary of emails with embedded links or invitations to see or learn more − they may be nothing more than scams to steal personal information.
- Unscrupulous Return Preparers: Most tax professionals provide honest, high-quality service, but dishonest preparers pop up every filing season. They commit fraud, harming innocent taxpayers, or talk taxpayers into doing illegal things, like inflating deductions. These scammers may also have taxpayers deposit refunds into tax preparer accounts.
- Offer in Compromise Mills: Misleading tax debt resolution companies can exaggerate the chance to settle tax debts for “pennies on the dollar” through an Offer in Compromise (OIC) for a hefty fee. Later, the taxpayer learns that she or he is not one of the small number of individuals who are qualified to even apply for an OIC, after the fee is paid and it’s too late.
- Fake Charities: Criminals frequently exploit natural disasters and other times of crisis by setting up fake charities to steal from well-intentioned people trying to help in times of need. Unfortunately, this is nothing new. The current COVID-19 pandemic and recent winter storms in Texas are examples where scammers take advantage of your compassion.
- EIP or Refund Theft: Refund fraud and theft remain a pervasive threat. In this past year, criminals also turned their attention to stealing Economic Impact Payments (EIP) as provided by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Scammers often defraud taxpayers by promising payments more quickly but divert the payments instead.
Don’t get caught up in one of these top tax scams while you are busy filing your 2020 income tax returns. To learn more about these scams and how to protect yourself, check out the IRS website at https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-unveils-dirty-dozen-list-of-tax-scams-for-2020-americans-urged-to-be-vigilant-to-these-threats-during-the-pandemic-and-its-aftermath.