Avoiding Tax Scams: Advice from Michigan's Attorney General

As Michigan consumers gear up for tax season, scam artists are picking up their game too. Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette recently issued a new, updated consumer alert to help residents fight back against IRS scams.

During tax season, the Attorney General's Consumer Protect Team usually sees an increase in tax-related complaints. IRS scams often threaten legal action to get consumers to turn over their social security numbers. To fight back, Bill Schutte has issued a consumer alert telling Michigan residents what to watch for.

The IRS Will Never Call You

IRS scammers often use high-pressure phone calls to try to separate consumers from their money and personal information. These calls often threaten legal action unless the consumer makes an immediate payment using a credit card over the phone.

Other scams offer big tax rebates if consumers give up bank account information. These calls ask for information to set up direct deposit for your tax rebate.

You may also receive a phone call from someone who claims to be an “IRS employee” saying that an IRS check has not been cashed. Just like the rebate scams, these calls ask consumers to turn over their bank account information so they can verify where the check was sent.

The IRS Will Never Email You

IRS scams will also find their way into your email. But the government agency itself will never use your email. Several scams use tactics to make the emails look legitimate like:

• Official IRS logos;
  
• Text copied from the IRS website
  
• Email addresses that look like the IRS.
  
• Fake forms that resemble IRS forms.
  

No matter how realistic the email looks, it is always a scam. 
 

Report IRS Scams

In his recent press release, Michigan Attorney General Bill Schutte asked consumers to report any suspicious calls or emails to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration. If you receive a call, call the hotline at 800-366-4484 to report the scam. You can also report false use of the IRS name, logo, or information at that number.

If you receive an IRS scam email, don't open it. Never click on links or download attachments. Instead, you can forward the email to phishing@irs.gov. The IRS has created this address to receive, track, and shut down IRS scams. 
 

If You Owe Taxes

Don't wait for an IRS scam to catch you. If you are facing IRS debt, call the IRS directly at 800-829-1040 or type www.irs.gov directly into your browser. Don't use a third party. Go directly to the source of the problem.

If you have been the victim of an IRS scam, Dani K. Liblang of The Liblang Law Firm, P.C., is a consumer protection attorney who can help defend you against debt or identity theft that results. At the first sign of fraud, contact The Liblang Law Firm, P.C., for a consult today.

Image Source: Mark Warner on flickr.com (edited for size)