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, http://www.irs.gov, the IRS says tax scam promoters are “targeting church congregations, exploiting their good intentions and credibility.”
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”
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, http://www.irs.gov, or by telephone at 1-800-829-1040.
To check the reliability of a company and find trustworthy businesses, visit http://www.ct.bbb.org.
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Founded in 1928, Connecticut BBB is an unbiased non-profit organization that sets and upholds high standards for fair and honest business behavior. For more advice on finding companies and businesses, start your search with trust at www.bbb.org.
