The scam-olympics have arrived

February 20, 2014 by Carol Thompson, EA

Stealing money from the elderly, low-income, and under-educated is the sport of the decade for criminals. Don’t be caught by a gold-medal winning thief.
 

1. Phone Scams: There are numerous phone and internet scams claiming to be the IRS (or other government agencies). Do not give personal information to anyone claiming to be from the government. The IRS does not use the telephone or internet to collect personal information. This scam affects thousands of people every year. Get a name, phone number, and badge number and say you will call back. Then check!
2. Protect Your Identity: No one from a legitimate company will call and ask for your personal information over the telephone. If you do not know the caller, ask for a number to call back and the name and address of the company. Then check. Don’t trust your Caller ID – any name and number can be entered on the phone set up.
3. Return Preparer Fraud: If you choose to have your return done by a tax pro this year, you can go on the IRS website for a list of qualifications to look for. Be wary of anyone who:
   • Guarantees large refunds without even seeing your tax documents
   • Charges a percentage of your refund as a fee
   • Asks you to sign a blank tax form
   • Does not sign the return or give you a copy of it.