The time of year when taxes need to be filed causes worry for almost everyone. You’re
constantly dealing with more stress and uncertainty, and you’re never sure if you’ll have to send
the IRS a check.
Additionally, you may put yourself in danger because you are unaware of prospective threats.
Tax scams normally fall into one of four categories, but they have recently become more
widespread. If you’re unlucky, one of these tax scams may seriously jeopardize your situation
and result in you paying the IRS thousands of dollars. The four risks of tax scams listed below
should be recognized.
Important Information: Call our firm right away for a consultation if the IRS is accusing you of
owing $10,000 or more in back taxes after you were the victim of a tax fraud. www.cottslaw.com.
1. IRS Impersonators
When tax season starts, phony IRS agents emerge from hiding. Your inbox may be overrun by
threatening emails from those false IRS impersonators, and they may send false information
through text message to your smartphone.
The threats and danger could increase if those IRS imposters call your landline or mobile phone.
Those impersonators can really hurt your finances by employing hard sell techniques to persuade
you to pay up or threatening to arrest you if unpaid taxes are not paid.
The actual IRS never initiates communication via email, text, or phone calls, so be aware of this
if you want to be secure. Watch your mailbox and disregard everything else because the IRS will
send a letter if there is a problem with your taxes.
2. Phishing Scams
Phishing scams are prevalent year-round, but they become more prevalent as tax season
approaches. These cybercriminals are aware that tax season is a difficult time for their victims
and that if they encounter an email with a sufficiently ominous subject line, their guard may
drop.
Unsolicited emails should always be treated with a fair dose of skepticism, but this is especially
important as tax season approaches. Such messages should always be thoroughly investigated,
and you shouldn’t ever click on embedded links that can contain malware or other risks.
3. Fraudulent Filing
Cybercriminals might file your taxes for you if you don’t do so right away. The likelihood that
you will become the next victim has increased due to the rise in fraudulent filing.
These dishonest filers make use of Social Security numbers and other private data they purchase
on the underground internet. Armed with that knowledge, they submit false tax forms, claiming
rebates they aren’t due, and diverting the monies to their own accounts rather than yours. By
filing your tax return as soon as possible and protecting your personal information online, you
can minimize this risk.
4. Shady Tax Preparers
Sometimes the source of the scam is the person you pay to prepare your taxes. Unlicensed,
dishonest tax preparers collect information from their clients and preserve records of Social
Security numbers and other crucial data in order to commit crimes in the future.
Identity theft could not be your only issue if you trust a dishonest tax preparer with your returns.
These dishonest tax preparers could defraud you by inventing deductions and dependent claims,
giving you a sizable tax refund that you are not really entitled to. The tax preparer will already be
gone by the time the IRS discovers the error, leaving you responsible for any fines, interest
charges, and the anguish that only an IRS audit can bring.
Even though filing taxes is hard enough, dealing with the IRS may become even more difficult if
you fall for a scam. The tax filing season is viewed by cybercriminals as a prime chance that they
are ready, willing, and eager to take advantage of for their evil ends.
You must handle cybersecurity in a proactive manner if you want to safeguard both yourself and
your money. Knowing the risks is an essential first step, therefore always keep a watchful eye on
your information.
Contact our tax resolution Law Firm if you’re having difficulties paying your taxes, and we’ll set
up a free, private appointment to go over your choices with you and assist you in finding a long-
term solution. www.cottslaw.com
