COLUMBIA (WACH) -- You may have noticed emails in your inbox from the Internal Revenue Service recently telling you to file claims for money you aren't entitled to.
IRS officials say these messages are scams and remind taxpayers that they never send out unsolicited emails.
The IRS says the best defense is to safeguard yourself and understand what to be aware of when it comes to tax scams. They say to be on the lookout for items in the following list:
- Fictitious claims for refunds or rebates based on excess or withheld Social Security benefits.
- Claims that Treasury Form 1080 can be used to transfer funds from the Social Security Administration to the IRS enabling a payout from the IRS.
- Unfamiliar for-profit tax services teaming up with local churches.
- Home-made flyers and brochures implying credits or refunds are available without proof of eligibility.
- Offers of free money with no documentation required.
- Promises of refunds for “Low Income – No Documents Tax Returns.”
- Claims for the expired Economic Recovery Credit Program or Recovery Rebate Credit.
- Advice on claiming the Earned Income Tax Credit based on exaggerated reports of self-employment income.
- In some cases non-existent Social Security refunds or rebates have been the bait used by the con artists. In other situations, taxpayers deserve the tax credits they are promised but the preparer uses fictitious or inflated information on the return which results in a fraudulent return.
Officials say one of the best reminders to stay safe is that if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
If you get an IRS email that you think is a scam, you can send it to phishing@irs.gov. Officials remind taxpayers not to open any links you're unfamiliar with.
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forWACH