The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is warning taxpayers to beware of scammers trying to sell or offer to help set up an account online at IRS.gov, so it is calling Do not expose your tax and financial information to avoid becoming a victim of identity theft.
“Scammers find new ways all the time to try to steal taxpayer information.IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel said.
“An online account at IRS.gov can help taxpayers see important details about their tax situation. But scammers try to convince people that they need help setting up an account. Actually, no help is needed. This is just a scam to obtain valuable and confidential tax information that scammers will use to try to steal a refund. People should be careful and avoid sharing sensitive personal data over the phone, email or social media to avoid getting caught up in these scamsWerfel added.
Avoid help from outside scammers
Criminals pose as a “helpful” person and offer to help create a taxpayer Online Account on IRS.gov. Users should remember that they can set up these accounts themselves.. But third parties making these offers will try to steal a taxpayer’s personal information in this way. Taxpayers can and should set up their own account online through IRS.gov.
Scammers often ask for the taxpayer’s personal information, including address, Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN), and photo identification, to then sell to other criminals. They may also use your confidential information to file fraudulent tax returns, obtain loans, and open credit accounts.
The IRS urges people to be careful around these “useful” criminals. The only place people need to go to create an account online is at IRS.gov.
The agency invites report people who promote inappropriate and abusive tax schemesas well as tax return preparers who knowingly prepare improper returns. Taxpayers can mail or fax a completed Form 14242 and any supporting materials to the IRS Leadership Development Center in the Office of Promoter Research.
Mail:
Internal Revenue Service Lead Development Center
Stop MS5040
24000 Avila Road
Laguna Niguel, California 92677-3405
Fax: 877-477-9135
Also, taxpayers and tax professionals can submit the information to the IRS Whistleblower Office for possible monetary reward. For more information, see Abusive Tax Schemes and Abusive Tax Return Preparations.
Keep reading:
IRS tells taxpayers how to avoid refund delays and filing errors
· IRS reminds taxpayers that they can check the status of their refunds without having to call by phone
IRS warns taxpayers of scams being done this tax season
