IRS Updates Dirty Dozen Tax Scams List | Small Biz Trends

March 24, 2023March 23, 2023 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Beware Phishing and Smishing

Phishing is a term coined over a quarter of a century ago and is a play on the spelling of fishing, and the similarity of using lures to fish for sensitive information that can be used to commit fraud. Such phishing scams usually occur via email, with a typical tactic being to bulk-send spam emails in the hopes of finding an unsuspecting victim.

Smishing is an amalgamation of phishing and SMS, as it relates directly to phishing attacks that happen via text message.

Scammers ‘Pose as the IRS’ During Tax Season

The IRS Commissioner, Danny Werfel, further explained the dangers of phishing and smishing scams, saying: “Email and text scams are relentless, and scammers frequently use tax season as a way of tricking people. With people anxious to receive the latest information about a refund or other tax issue, scammers will regularly pose as the IRS, a state tax agency or others in the tax industry in emails and texts. People should be incredibly wary about unexpected messages like this that can be a trap, especially during filing season.”

Beware: Fake IRS Letters Are Making The Rounds This Summer | Forbes

August 7, 2019August 6, 2019 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Correspondence season is in full swing. That means that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is sending out bills and notices to taxpayers – including correspondence focused on cryptocurrency and healthcare reporting. It may be hard for taxpayers to tell the real thing from the fakes – and scammers are taking advantage of the confusion. Here’s what you need to know.

Many taxpayers are aware that the IRS will never call to demand immediate payment over the phone, or call about taxes owed without first having mailed you a bill. To try and trick taxpayers, some scammers are sending letters, hoping that folks will take the bait.

Tax Scams are Once Again on the Rise | Small Biz Trends

November 24, 2015 ~ knjohn ~ Leave a comment

Tax scammers are again at work and your small businesses could be vulnerable just like other consumers. Authorities insist calls from scammers claiming to be with the Internal Revenue Service are on the rise around the country.

Just in case you are not aware of this tax scam, it works on fear and intimidation by the criminals. They call their victims and leave a menacing message on voice mail stating you have a warrant for your arrest because of a tax violation. When you call the number to find out what it is all about, the ruse continues to play out until they talk you into sending them money.

Here’s what you need to protect your business and yourself.