So scammers aren't taking any time off, they are working overtime and here's what they are up to now, this article from Forbes talks about a new twist to the old phone scams.
Showing posts with label IRS. Show all posts
Showing posts with label IRS. Show all posts
3.16.2016
Be Aware! Tax Information Phone Scams have increased.
Hello Nation,
The IRS has indicated that the number of phone scams trying to get at your personal tax information has increased. Scammers are calling taxpayers on the phone and indicating that they are IRS employees needing to verify your personal information. The scammers seek to have you confirm the personal information they already have and get you to supply other personal information, the information they need, to do you significant damage. The IRS again indicates that they do NOT call individuals for that type of information.
The caller who already has some of your personal information aims to
The IRS has indicated that the number of phone scams trying to get at your personal tax information has increased. Scammers are calling taxpayers on the phone and indicating that they are IRS employees needing to verify your personal information. The scammers seek to have you confirm the personal information they already have and get you to supply other personal information, the information they need, to do you significant damage. The IRS again indicates that they do NOT call individuals for that type of information.
The caller who already has some of your personal information aims to
4.19.2011
Didn't file an income tax return because you can't find your tax information?
If you still didn't file an income tax return by yesterday (April 18th) the extended filing deadline, because you've moved recently and can't find your documents, or just can't find your tax documents because they are probably hiding under that pile of papers on your desk, why wait any longer - start contacting the companies that report your income (your job, unemployment agencies, brokerage houses etc.) to send you out another copy. It will take some time, so take action.
12.04.2010
The IRS is on Your Side!
Yes, I know, you never think the IRS is on your side, but it is. Maybe you noticed that a number of fraudulent tax preparers were apprehended over the last several years. Tax preparers were creating fraudulent returns - often to their own benefit, while taking advantage of the taxpayer's lack of knowledge about their own tax situation, but at other times, it appeared that the taxpayer was in on the deal, accepting large refunds that they were not qualified for. Like these guys..., this guy, and this guy...
Before, pretty much anyone could set up shop and prepare your taxes...resulting in the scenarios noted above. Although the majority of paid tax preparers are honest and ethical, unfortunately there were fraudulent tax preparers in the ranks, who targeted among others, groups that may not have been savvy about their taxes, or may have wanted their money in a hurry, at any cost. To make matters worse, these preparers were generally not accessible after tax season when the taxpayer had to respond to an IRS letter investigating the irregularities.
The IRS is now implementing new regulations that require tax preparers that are paid for their services to have a Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN) before they can prepare your 2010 taxes, including your CPA, your attorney, or enrolled agents. Even if they had a PTIN previously, they must re-apply. There is also a fee for obtaining the ID number, which should hopefully reduce the ranks of those who just shouldn't be preparing your taxes.
Now that you know that your tax preparer / tax advisor should have a registered ID number, it is in your interest to ask if they do.
Coming soon, tax preparers will be required to be certified.
Before, pretty much anyone could set up shop and prepare your taxes...resulting in the scenarios noted above. Although the majority of paid tax preparers are honest and ethical, unfortunately there were fraudulent tax preparers in the ranks, who targeted among others, groups that may not have been savvy about their taxes, or may have wanted their money in a hurry, at any cost. To make matters worse, these preparers were generally not accessible after tax season when the taxpayer had to respond to an IRS letter investigating the irregularities.
The IRS is now implementing new regulations that require tax preparers that are paid for their services to have a Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN) before they can prepare your 2010 taxes, including your CPA, your attorney, or enrolled agents. Even if they had a PTIN previously, they must re-apply. There is also a fee for obtaining the ID number, which should hopefully reduce the ranks of those who just shouldn't be preparing your taxes.
Now that you know that your tax preparer / tax advisor should have a registered ID number, it is in your interest to ask if they do.
Coming soon, tax preparers will be required to be certified.
6.25.2009
Tax Planning - First $2,400 of Unemployment Benefits Tax Free for 2009
If you receive unemployment benefits this tax year (2009) all or part of it may be tax-free.
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, makes the first $2,400 of unemployment insurance exempt from tax. So you can exclude the first $2400 of these benefits when you file your tax return next year. If you are married, the exclusion applies to each spouse separately.
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, makes the first $2,400 of unemployment insurance exempt from tax. So you can exclude the first $2400 of these benefits when you file your tax return next year. If you are married, the exclusion applies to each spouse separately.
4.10.2009
Left Money on the Table?
Love to find some hidden money?
If you think you may have overpaid the IRS over the last couple of years, you may be right.
Take a look at your tax returns for the last two years, 2006 and 2007, and you may even go as far back as 2005, if you filed an extension for that year. There may be money hiding there. Can you think of a better time to go get it?
Think back.
Did you take all of your deductions?
7.10.2008
Do not "CLICK HERE"
Hello again...
As you probably noticed I have been gone for awhile, had to deal with some medical and surgical issues. While I am not yet 100%, I am now able to focus on reading instead of pain, so, today I came across an article that suggested that folks are still falling prey to email and "phishing" scams. Here's how they work. These scammers are now impersonating the IRS and yes, guess what they are after, no, not just your stimulus payment, but also the account you might deposit your funds into. There intent is to clean you out, and once they have your personal information, it spreads exponentially as they may then be able to get to your investment accounts and other financial accounts.
Most of us are accustomed to clicking on a link to access various pieces of information at other sites, it has become so second nature, that we no longer even have to think about it, and that is one way that our financial privacy gets invaded and usurped, that simple click on a link that you make, may allow "the enemy" at your invitation, into your computer to search and find additional information, your information that they will now use against you.
Another way is they simply pretend to be one of your financial vendors, and ask for detailed personal information. Generally it comes with a sense of urgency, e.g. if you dont send this information, you'll lose out on something; we'll have to close your account; you'll be charged a fee, and so on, and of course if caught off guard, we might succumb, after all we think its our vendor, and so we may go ahead and key in the information. NO credible financial vendor will ask for your information via email, or ask you to key in your information after clicking on a link. You will generally be asked to go to the authentic website and make your changes through a secure website - where you will see a "locked padlock" symbol. An additional word of caution here - you should also watch out for oddities in the websites that you visit, e.g. if you see words that are spelt incorrectly, it could also mean you are not on the authentic website of your financial institution. Use the tools in your internet security package to check whether the site is known as a "phishing" site.
Regular check-ups of your financial accounts should also clue you into whether or not someone has gotten hold of your information.
Here is some information from the IRS , they have seen a sharp increase in the number of scams being perpetrated in their name.
Lastly, adults, please inform your kids, young adults, please inform your friends - its not cool to CLICK on phishing sites, or on links in emails you receive.
As you probably noticed I have been gone for awhile, had to deal with some medical and surgical issues. While I am not yet 100%, I am now able to focus on reading instead of pain, so, today I came across an article that suggested that folks are still falling prey to email and "phishing" scams. Here's how they work. These scammers are now impersonating the IRS and yes, guess what they are after, no, not just your stimulus payment, but also the account you might deposit your funds into. There intent is to clean you out, and once they have your personal information, it spreads exponentially as they may then be able to get to your investment accounts and other financial accounts.
Most of us are accustomed to clicking on a link to access various pieces of information at other sites, it has become so second nature, that we no longer even have to think about it, and that is one way that our financial privacy gets invaded and usurped, that simple click on a link that you make, may allow "the enemy" at your invitation, into your computer to search and find additional information, your information that they will now use against you.
Another way is they simply pretend to be one of your financial vendors, and ask for detailed personal information. Generally it comes with a sense of urgency, e.g. if you dont send this information, you'll lose out on something; we'll have to close your account; you'll be charged a fee, and so on, and of course if caught off guard, we might succumb, after all we think its our vendor, and so we may go ahead and key in the information. NO credible financial vendor will ask for your information via email, or ask you to key in your information after clicking on a link. You will generally be asked to go to the authentic website and make your changes through a secure website - where you will see a "locked padlock" symbol. An additional word of caution here - you should also watch out for oddities in the websites that you visit, e.g. if you see words that are spelt incorrectly, it could also mean you are not on the authentic website of your financial institution. Use the tools in your internet security package to check whether the site is known as a "phishing" site.
Regular check-ups of your financial accounts should also clue you into whether or not someone has gotten hold of your information.
Here is some information from the IRS , they have seen a sharp increase in the number of scams being perpetrated in their name.
Lastly, adults, please inform your kids, young adults, please inform your friends - its not cool to CLICK on phishing sites, or on links in emails you receive.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)