Wallingford, CT – January 9, 2012 – The deadline for filing income tax returns is more than three months away, however, tax scammers don’t wait for April 30th to begin preying on vulnerable people.
The elderly and low income individuals are being targeted by flyers that claim little or no documentation is required to receive “free money” from the Internal Revenue Service. (IRS)
On its website, the IRS says tax scam promoters are “targeting church congregations, exploiting their good intentions and credibility.” The agency adds that the scams also are being spread by word of mouth among unsuspecting and well-intentioned individuals who tell friends and relatives.
Connecticut Better Business Bureau President, Paulette Scarpetti, cautions that IRS imposters have a number of venues at their disposal.
“Whether it is by telephone, emails or through social media, scammers try to bully and trick people into handing over their personal information.”
Connecticut BBB cautions consumers to beware of con artists who may pose as IRS or other government employees who try to perpetrate identity theft by asking for information such as a birth date, Social Security or bank account numbers. Similar scams promise hundreds of dollars in refunds if the recipient fills out a form and sends it back.
The Internal Revenue service warns taxpayers that aside from “phishing” attempts to fool victims into divulging confidential information, links in email and on social networking and other websites may download spyware onto victims’ computers. An email return address, link or IRS logo that appears to be legitimate easily can be spoofed and redirect to another site or email address.
The IRS does not request personal information by email or telephone.
Consumers can learn more about income tax scams and report fraud at the Internal Revenue Service website,
www.irs.gov, or by telephone at 1-800-829-1040.
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