IRS Criminal Investigation gives tips on how to protect yourself this tax season

This year’s tax season begins Monday, Jan. 24 and will continue through Monday, April 18, for the majority of  taxpayers. 

In a release, the IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) reminds residents that every year, U.S. taxpayers’ personal information is compromised through phishing scams or by unscrupulous tax preparers. With tax season kicking off Jan. 24, IRS-CI wants taxpayers to be aware of tax-related fraud.

In an interview on Sheridan Media’s Public Pulse, Supervisory Special Agent assigned to the IRS-CI office in Cheyenne Wyoming, James Marcy informed listeners of a scam involving criminals calling a potential target and identifying themselves as IRS agents. The scammer asks for personal information as a way to confirm that the victim is the intended target. This is one way scammers are getting Social Security Numbers. The scammer lies to the victim telling them they have an arrest warrant for the individual unless the victim can pay the phony back taxes, usually with some sort of gift card. 

Special Agent James Marcy

The IRS-CI has stated clearly, the IRS will not call you threatening legal action. According to the IRS-CI, should you receive a call like this, hang up.

Other tips from the IRS-CI to remember this tax season include:

• Choose a tax preparer wisely. Look for a preparer who is available year-round.
• Ask your tax preparer for their IRS Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN). All paid preparers are required to have one.
• Avoid using “ghost preparers” who will prepare a tax return but refuse to sign as the paid preparer.
• Don’t fall victim to tax preparers’ promises of large refunds. Taxpayers must pay their fair share of taxes.
• Don’t sign a blank tax return. Taxpayers are ultimately responsible for what appears on tax returns filed with the IRS.
• Make sure you receive your refund. Your refund should be deposited into your bank account, not your tax preparer’s.
• Don’t respond to text messages, emails or social media posts claiming to be the IRS. They may contain malware that could compromise your personal information.
• Don’t click links or open attachments in unsolicited emails or text messages about your tax return. These messages are fraudulent.
• Protect your personal and financial information. Never provide this information in response to unsolicited text messages, emails or social media posts claiming to be the IRS.

For more tips on choosing a tax professional or how to file a complaint against one, visit IRS.gov. Taxpayers who suspect tax violations by a person or business, may report it to the IRS using Form 3949A, Information Referral. Taxpayers can report phishing emails to phishing@irs.gov or IRS impersonation scams to TIGTA.gov.