It's that time of the year again, the scammers want you tax refund so here's a few tips to help you recognize scammers.
Best advice I can give you is to just ignore them. If you don't recognize the number or the person just don't answer the phone, don't return the text and don't respond to the email.
Check the email, if the sender has a @gmail.com or @yahoo.com, they are probably not legit. Most normal companies will have their business email like @apple.com.
Remember the IRS or Government will never send you a text but scammers will. So if you get a text that like Reply Immediately to get your Tax Refund or $1200 Stimulus check. It's not legit and from a scammer so be ware. The link in this text will take you to a fake website where they'll ask for your personal information, social security number, maybe bank accounts, etc. This is called phishing.
If this happens to you, report the website to phishing@IRS.gov.
1099G unemployment fraud. In 2020 there was an unemployment scam. Crooks were using peoples social security numbers to collect unemployment. At the end of the year, you might receive a 1099G for the unemployment benefits paid on behalf of your social security number, but yet you didn't receive any unemployment. Make sure you report this to your state unemployment office and get a corrected 1099G so you don't have to pay taxes on the unemployment that you didn't receive.
Hire only trusted tax preparers. Make sure you hire someone you know or a legitimate tax prep service. Looking on Facebook or Craigslist is a bad idea. You may encounter a scammer who takes more of your refund then they should or charges fees much higher than you should pay.
IRS Impersonations. It never ends, scammers will continue to try and impersonal and pretend they are the IRS. Remember the IRS will never initiate a conversation with you without first sending you a written notice in the mail. Don't reply to texts, emails or phone calls unless you know it's legitimate. If you receive a letter from the IRS, confirm the phone number is correct. Remember scammers have access to many resources today that give them your personal information, this helps them seem credible even though they are not.
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<-- Avoid these cash payment scams
<-- Your to honest - beware of scams!
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