Tax Refund Scam: How It Scam Works
Online tax filing and its scams – it's happening again. This year, one of the biggest scams around is the Tax Refund or Free Tax Filing scam. It has a new twist. Let's see.
Scenario 1. What would you do if you'd get a call from the Government telling they can't process your taxes because somebody else ALREADY has filed them on your behalf? Who would that be? You'd freak out, right?
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Watch the video below to see the Tax Refund scam exposed:
Scenario 2. You're checking your email when you notice a message that seems to be from the government regarding your tax return. The news is good – you're in line for a big refund! If you just submit your banking information, they can deposit the money right into your account for you.
You follow a link to an official-looking site featuring the government tax agency logo on it (IRS in the United States, CRA in Canada, HMRC in the United Kingdom, ATO in Australia, etc.) and fill in the blanks. Of course, there would be nothing wrong with entering your banking information, if it was, indeed, your government. It isn't, and you could stand to lose everything on your card.
Scenario 3: You get an email about your taxes, but this time, you get the email shortly after you submit. Your tax agency informs you that you can have all the payroll taxes refunded for a fee, usually one that's proportional to the amount you stand to get back (5%, 10%, etc.). They tell you the amount and ask you to wire the money. If you did so, you could kiss that money goodbye.
Tax Refund Scam: How To Avoid
The tax refund email scam is perpetrating all over the world, based on the same scheme. Please don't fall for it. Take the time to read up a bit on the process of tax returns in your country, if you aren't informed already. Always rely on professional accountants this time of the year, contact legitimate companies to prepare your papers, or use trustworthy services.
Tax Refund Scam: How To Report
Make your family and friends aware of the Tax Refund Scam by sharing it on social media using the buttons provided. You can also officially report the scammers to the Federal Trade Commission using the link below:
Report Scammers To The FTC Here
How to protect yourself more:
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Beware of a website hcmria.com. Someone is trying to contact me ostensobly to see if I am due a tax refund. Iam 1 and haven’t been self-employed for years!
My husband received a letter "Notice of Intent to Lien" from Massachusett’s Department of Revenue stating that he owed income tax while he never lived in Massachusett’s. The letter put a convincing website address: http://www.mass.gov/dor and a phone # 617-887-6367.
He called and got transferred to "Victoria" in the fraud division, with a personal direct line # 617-887-6749 who suggested that this might be from a identity theft crime that he should fax over his ID to 617-660-9950 to clear the case. He did. We later called FBI and was told that the legitimate tax agencies would never require people to fax ID.
hello , I am 19 years of age and I have never filed my taxes and , recently I have gotten a letter from the tax board and the said that some one have used me for 2012 and 2013 and now there saying I owe them 447.47 so how will I be able to red flag this person thank you
ps . Cynthia pounds
I use a national network to get my taxes filled out and use Direct Deposit. Problem solved!
Red flag #1… "Dear Applicant"…
I just received an email claiming to be from IRS. The funny thing is I live in Canada and had nothing to do with IRS. So don not believe you are entitled to the refund you get in this scam email! Here is how the email looks like:
From: Internal Revenue Service
Sent: January-14-14 3:59:47 PM
To: Recipients ([email protected])
Dear Applicant,
An Income Tax repayment is a refund of tax that you’ve overpaid. Internal Revenue Service ( IRS ) has received new information about your taxable
income you’ve overpaid too much tax through your job or pension in previous years.
There was a mistake with your tax, which an error occurred on your tax return, and therefore your income reduced. Your employer also used the wrong tax code.
You are eligible to receive a refund of $2670.48 as your recent tax refund. IRS will send you a repayment. You’ll get the repayment either by cheque in the post
or by bank transfer.
Please click HERE (scammy link) to get your tax refund on your Visa or Mastercard now.
Note : Your refund can be delayed for a variety of reasons. For example submitting invalid records or applying after the deadline.
Best Wishes,
IRS Tax Refund Service Team
2014 Internal Revenue Service