Tax refund check scams can be quite a frightening thing. Many times, taxpayers get an erroneous refund and are contacted by a recorded or automated phone call. The caller, who claims to be from the IRS, threatens them with arrest warrants, criminal fraud charges, and blacklisting of their Social Security number. The caller also gives the taxpayer a case number and a telephone number to return the refund.
COVID-19 pandemic brought out scammers
Since the COVID-19 pandemic hit, scammers have been out in force trying to steal personal information and money. Some are using social media posts and unexpected phone calls to scam unsuspecting citizens. They can take a variety of forms, from fake job offers to using stolen personal information to file fraudulent tax returns.
The recent COVID-19 pandemic has fueled these scams, which are mostly targeting older Americans. The Federal Trade Commission has received 754,000 consumer complaints since the pandemic, with 72 percent involving identity theft and fraud. The scams have already cost the nation $827.6 million and cost an average of $426 per victim. The criminals have an extensive arsenal of scam tools and are careful to follow headlines and adapt their messages to new issues.
Scammers are attempting to take advantage of the panic caused by the pandemic. By claiming that the COVID-19 pandemic is saving lives, these scammers often collect sensitive personal information. They can then use it to fraudulently bill federal health care programs or commit medical identity theft. As such, people should be cautious when accepting requests for free COVID-19 tests from scammers. Some of these scams can be prevented by avoiding the sites that ask for financial information. In addition, savvy consumers should keep an eye on advertisements on social media. Moreover, it is important to check the location of the test center.
Identity theft instructors were teaching classes on how to steal identities
While the illicit drug trade was at a low point, Tampa police started investigating drug dealers who were allegedly using stolen identity data to file fraudulent tax returns. Investigators found preloaded debit cards, ledgers and laptop computers used for filing bogus returns. It was also discovered that identity theft instructors were teaching classes on how to steal tax refund check identities. This led to the arrest of 49 alleged tax refund check scammers. As a result of the investigation, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service intercepted about $100 million in fake tax refund checks.
IRS officials announced that they were cracking down on tax refund fraud and identity theft across the country. The agency has stepped up its efforts to detect scams, and has opened over 1,500 criminal investigations related to tax refund checks. In the past year alone, the agency has stopped almost eight hundred fraudulent refund checks.
IRS doesn't initiate contact with taxpayers on social media
The IRS does not initiate contact with taxpayers on social media for scams involving tax refund checks. Taxpayers should always call the IRS directly and not respond to texts or phone calls. Social media and phone scams are common during filing season, so it is important to be wary of these messages. Oftentimes, criminals will leave fake caller IDs that look like the IRS's, and threaten taxpayers with arrest warrants, deportation, and police action. However, the IRS will never initiate contact over the phone to demand immediate payment or personal information, and will never make pre-recorded messages.
In addition to these social media messages, scammers may also try to contact you through text messages. These texts will usually contain bogus links and references to COVID-19 or stimulus payments. You should never respond to unsolicited text messages or open any attachments or links provided in these messages.
To avoid social media scams, check to see if the contact has a government website or is coming from the IRS. If the caller ID is not genuine, you should hang up. If you receive a message, check it online by searching for the agency's name on Google. If you still have questions, visit the website to find out more information.
Scammers can try to lure victims into sharing personal information by telling them that they have received a refund. They may also use the excuse that you need to call them right away to claim your refund. It's important to remember that the IRS does not initiate contact with taxpayers through social media for tax refund check scams.
IRS never demands payment by a specific method
Tax refund checks are issued by the IRS by using a federal government bank. When the check is not received, the IRS can request that it be re-issued using an electronic funds transfer. The taxpayer must provide the necessary information on Form 3911 or FS 150.1, an official request from the Department of Treasury to the financial institution. If the check is not re-issued, the financial institution must take corrective action.
In the event that your check is lost or stolen, you can file a claim with your bank. In order to do this, you must contact the BFS, which is an agency of the Treasury Department. Its headquarters is located in Washington, DC. If your refund check is lost or forged, the BFS will verify the identity of the payer and issue a new one.
The IRS will re-issue a tax refund check if it has been sent more than three months ago. Re-issued checks must be received within 14 days, and if they do not, the BFS will send the payee a settlement check.
You will be given a list of the banks that offer refund transfer products. The information gathered from this list will be helpful for you if you need to re-issue a tax refund check. These banks offer various types of refund transfer products to meet your needs.
If your check is not received, you should submit a written submission addressing the non-receipt of your tax refund check. It is important to include details that relate back to your claim that generated the refund. Otherwise, the IRS may conclude that you failed to act timely.
IRS limits refunds electronically to three
The IRS has recently implemented a new limit on the number of refunds that can be received electronically. This new rule applies to financial accounts such as prepaid cards, reloadable cards, and debit cards. The new limit is designed to prevent fraud and abuse by limiting the number of refunds that can be received via direct deposit. If you exceed your direct deposit limit, you will receive a notice from the IRS. You can also track your refunds at Where's My Refund.Romance fraud You may have received a refund a few years ago, but your claim has expired. This is called the Refund Statute Expiration Date (RSED). The IRS does not allow you to file a refund after this date. If you miss the deadline, you may have to wait until the next year to file a new tax return.
Once you file your taxes, you may realize that you received a tax credit or tax deduction you did not know about. This could result in a lower balance due, or even more money in refunds. If you want to claim your refund, you have up to three years from the tax-filing date to file an amended return. If you fail to do so, you may miss out on your refund, so it is important to file your return as early as possible.
The IRS also prohibits discriminatory treatment of taxpayers by its employees. If you are a taxpayer, you should never be subject to discrimination, whether it is in the workplace or educational programs. The IRS does not tolerate discrimination against taxpayers of any race, religion, or sex.
