As tax time approaches, people all over the country are concerned with keeping their finances on track, especially as the economy continues to veer towards the unknown. With new tax cuts and stimulus payments becoming available, it’s possible to become confused. The IRS has already reported numerous errors in early tax filings. Additionally, you should be on guard against any number of scams that pop up around this time of year, particularly those that claim to offer you excessive stimulus payments.
Many of these scams are simply variations on some classic fraud attempts, targeting unsuspecting tax filers in an attempt to strip you of personal information or even scheme you out of your refund.
The National Consumers League Fraud Center has a couple of simple tips to help you stay on guard against fraudulent activity.
- Always be suspicious if anyone claiming to be from the IRS contacts you.
- Never give out personal information. A legitimate agency should already have your details on file.
- Beware of any offer of tax relief, reduced payments, or rebates.
- If someone contacts you by phone, ask the caller to send you follow up information by postal mail, or hang up and call the agency back to be sure the offer is legitimate.
Check out the IRS’s site for tips to avoid recovery rebate problems, and the NCL’s fraud center to make sure you don’t fall victim to a tax-time scam.
5 Comments on "Outsmart Scammers: Stay On Guard Against Tax-Time Fraud"
Unlilsswels
Thank you!
kristy s
ui agree they are everywhere
nick
im a huge fan of your show i think it is so cool how you catch all them bad people in this world
Lena
another tip is dont cash you check in big cities. i live a city out side of detroit and there are party stores in the detroit that sell peoples social security numbers and personal information. make sure that where you get your checks cashed at is also legitamite so that you dont get scammed that way either.
Helen Marie Cochran
I recieved a text message on my cellphone and I called the number and a person came on the phone and said that I filled out a application online. And I asked if they were with watchdog website and the preson said yes could we send you a 200.00 dollar voucaher to use at any store an the preson also said that they need to get 4.00 out of my Direct Express card and I thought that it would be ok because the preson told me that it was identity theft pervention. Now we reciveed the 200.00 dollars to use at any store well I tried to use the voucaher at my walmart here in New Smyrna Beach,Fl. what can I do about this voucaher or this company called Id watchdog.
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