There is a new tax refund scam to beware of. Using stolen data, thieves file fraudulent tax returns and use the taxpayers’ real bank accounts to deposit tax refunds. Finally, the thieves, posing as IRS or other law enforcement, call attention to the error and ask taxpayers to return the money to them.
To get the funds from real taxpayers, thieves use various methods. In one version, criminals posing as debt collection agency officials acting on behalf of the IRS reach out to taxpayers to say a refund was deposited in error, and ask the taxpayers to forward the money to their collection agency.
In another version, taxpayers who receive an erroneous tax refund receive an automated call with a recorded voice claiming to be from the IRS; the caller threatens taxpayers with criminal fraud charges, an arrest warrant and a “blacklisting” of their Social Security number. The recorded voice then gives the taxpayer a case number and a telephone number to call to return the refund.
The IRS will NOT contact you by phone or email to discuss your account. When in doubt, assume it’s a scam. If this happens to you, call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 (individual) or
1-800-829-4933 (business) to get help.