Q I just received the following. This has to be a scam - something to inform your readers about: "After the last annual calculations of your fiscal activity we have determined that you are eligible to receive a tax refund of $93.60. Please submit the tax refund request and allow us 6-9 days in order to process it. A refund can be delayed for a variety of reasons, for example, submitting invalid records or applying after the deadline. To access your tax refund online, please click here. Regards, Internal Revenue Service." B.B.
A You're right, B.B. This is a scam.
Not only is the Internal Revenue Service after our money and personal information this time of year, so are the outlaws.
It can be quickly identified as fake, said ScamBusters.org. "It has the same links as IRS pages, but when you click on them, the page simply refreshes instead of taking you to the link."
Furthermore, said ScamBusters: "The IRS does not send out refunds this way. If the IRS wants to get in touch, it sends a letter. The only way it collects your bank account details is if you choose to put them in your tax return. Period."
But this is not the only IRS fraud scheme going around. With all our money floating around during tax return season, the crooks are lying in wait to snare their illicit share. ScamBusters said a new IRS scam aimed at seniors has the crooks telling the victim they can get his or her Social Security payroll taxes refunded for an upfront fee based on the size of their rebate, plus a percentage of the refund.
"Naturally, they say it will be a big refund and inflate their 'fee' to match it, producing and filling in a tax form as 'evidence.'
"Trouble follows: The law doesn't allow a refund of taxes paid into Social Security and the taxpayer may end up having to pay penalties for filing a fraudulent return."
Here's another one:
Instead of claiming the IRS owes you money, another tax scam offers a reward to you for filing your return early, said ScamBusters.
"A phone caller will ask for bank details. Not only does the IRS not seek such details by phone - but it also doesn't pay rewards for early returns."
"Another sneaky trick is an e-mail that offers taxpayers $80 for filling an online customer satisfaction survey.
"Of course, you're expected to enter all your personal details on the form. Don't fall for this - it's a scam."
But this isn't all you need to worry about, fellow taxpayers.
ScamBusters said there is a plethora of IRS scams, "more than 1,000 at the last count!" "Some of them have been around for years, yet still find victims," said ScamBusters. Victims not only lose money or their identities in these tax fraud scams, they may be in trouble with the IRS.
"To help the public recognize and avoid abusive tax schemes, the IRS offers an abundance of educational materials," said the IRS on its Web site at www.irs.gov.
"Participating in an illegal scheme to avoid paying taxes can result in imprisonment and fines, as well as the repayment of taxes owed with penalties and interest."