San Rafael Police Warn Of Tax Scams

SAN RAFAEL, CA – With tax season here, the San Rafael Police Department is warning residents to be alert for potential tax scams.

Here are a few types of scams to look out for, according to police and the IRS:

• Phone call scam, where someone calls claiming to be from the IRS and asking you to provide personal information.
• A variation of the phone call scam where the scammer calls claiming to be from the IRS or a debt collection agency and claims the victim owes the IRS money. The scammer will demand immediate payment in order to avoid punishment, such as fines or arrest.
• The fraudulent tax return scam, where the scammer will use stolen personal information to file a false tax return for the victim. The scammer will either have the fraudulent tax return deposited into their own account, or will call the victim after the return has been deposited into the victim's bank account and claim to be from the IRS or a debt collector. They will claim there has been a problem with the return and demand the victim sends them money from the fraudulent return.
• Accountants and tax preparers are targets for data theft via phishing emails.

Remember, if you receive a phone call from someone claiming to be from the IRS, the IRS will never:

• Ask for your personal information, such as SSN or bank account number
• Demand payment via a specific method, such as a prepaid card
• Demand instant payment
• Threaten you with arrest
• Tell you that you do not have the right to appeal or speak with a tax professional
• If in doubt, hang up the phone

Don't be a victim! Visit www.irs.gov for the latest information on new scams.

If you believe you have been the victim of an IRS impersonation scam, report it to the Treasury Inspector General's office using the online form: https://www.treasury.gov/tigta/contact_report_scam.shtml

Image via Shutterstock