By Rita R. Robison
Whether you’ve filed your taxes or not, be on the lookout for tax scams. If you still need to file, it’s important to choose a reputable tax preparer. If you’ve already filed, beware of strange communications about your refund that appear to come from your bank or the Internal Revenue Service.
“It’s the time of year for tax filers to steer clear of unqualified preparers that are just trying to make a buck and may not be very honest,” Dale Mingilton, president and CEO of the BBB Serving Denver/Boulder, said in a statement. “The end of tax season is also when scammers make an extra push to get people to fall for phishing attempts.”
A common tax scam involves phishing for your private information by someone who’s impersonating the IRS. They may say in a phone call or e-mail that there’s a problem with your refund, and they need your personal and/or financial information to resolve the issue. The IRS doesn’t use these methods to contact consumers.
Unethical tax preparers skim part of their clients’ refunds, overcharge for services, and attract clients be making inflated promises. Federal courts have issued hundreds of injunctions ordering individuals to stop preparing returns, and the Department of Justice has complaints pending against dozens of others, according to the IRS.
The BBB offers these tips to avoid scams as tax season wraps up:
- Beware of any phishing e-mails or phone calls that seem to be from the IRS. Don’t give personal information or click on links.
- Let the IRS know if you’re contacted in this manner. Ask the IRS representative if the agency is trying to reach you. Forward a copy of any e-mail you receive.
- Beware of anyone who pressures you to sign up for immediate payment of your refund that involves high-interest loan.
- Beware of those who boast they can get larger refunds than their competitors.
- Beware of anyone who bases his or her fee on a percentage of the refund amount, rather than the complexity of the tax return.
- Check out tax preparers with the BBB at www.bbb.org.
Good luck preparing your taxes. I just finished caculating mine. I'm glad it's done. What a job.
