Tax Rebate Scams

[twainwrong]

... my neighbor actually received a call... the promise was to speed up her "rebate process" if she paid $39.95 /of course thru a cc number over the phone.

The top 12 cons for last year, joining the phone refund rip-off, other new cons involve Roth IRAs, the American Indian Employment Credit, domestic shell corporations and structured entities. Oldies but baddies returning to the list including "phishing" for personal information to assist in identity theft, zero wage claims and improper charitable deductions.

I was just curious if anyone else had been approaced or victimized by a tax scam.

Tim WR

[gingerbreadman]

Do a search on tax rebate scams, and you will find an article in almost every major newspaper across the country. We subscribe to TrustedID and I follow the site for leading news -- like the tax scam you speak of http://blog.trustedid.com/?p=543

They also have a great resource page that provides general tips and information about how to keep our financial situation save from scam artists. I was surprised to find out how many children are targeted every year. But it makes sense, your kid gets his/her first job, fills out employment forms, they’re information becomes available, and what parent every really thinks to check little Jimmy’s credit report.

murphy

[hermione]

I've received many tax scam emails. They're very easily recognizable because the English is always full of errors - spelling, grammar, etc.

Everyone should know this, if they don't already:

The IRS does not send communications by e-mail. (Evidenced by the fact that they just spent $42 million sending letters to taxpayers to let them know their rebate is on the way.)

If you receive any suspicious emails about tax rebates or refunds, go to this page on the IRS site and follow the instructions to report them.