TAX SEASON IS IN HIGH GEAR WITH FILING DAY COMING UP ON MONDAY, THE 18TH. THAT’S WHY IT’S IMPORTANT TO STAY ALERT AND AVOID BEING A VICTIM OF A SCAMMER. CHOLLA KHOURY IS WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL’S CONSUMER PROTECTION DIVISION.
SHE SAYS THEY’RE GETTING REPORTS OF TWO TYPICAL TAX-SCAMS. ONE HAS THE CALLER SAYING A LAWSUIT HAS BEEN FILED OR WARRANT AGAINST THE VICTIM WHO THEY SAY OWES BACK TAXES. SHE TELLS US THE SECOND SCAM HAS THE CALLER SAYING THEY HAVE THE TAX RETURN BUT NEED TO VERIFY SENSITIVE FINANCIAL INFORMATION, SUCH AS A SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER.
THE BOTTOM LINE, ACCORDING TO KHOURY…THE I-R-S DOES NOT CONTACT ANYONE OVER THE PHONE. HER BEST ADVICE IS TO HANG UP AND REPORT THE CALL TO THE A-G’S OFFICE.
