Steer Clear of Scammers this Tax Season
Attorney General Josh Stein
March 2022
It’s tax season, which means scammers are out in full force looking to take advantage of hardworking North Carolinians. Each year, my office hears from North Carolinians struggling to file their taxes while fending off fraudsters. Tax scams put people’s money and personal information at risk, but my office is here to help you avoid them. Here are some tips to help you file your taxes safely.
Guard your personal information. Identity thieves can use your Social Security number to take out loans, open credit cards, or even collect your tax refund. Remember, email is vulnerable to hackers, so avoid emailing your Social Security number or other confidential information to a tax preparer or accountant. If you’re using a website to file your taxes, make sure your information is secure by looking for the lock icon and https:// in the address bar.
Watch out for fraudulent tax filings in your name or business. Whenever thieves gain access to your personal information, they can use it to file taxes under your name and pocket your refund. If you receive a notice or letter from the IRS indicating that more than one tax return was filed in your name, respond immediately to the IRS employee whose contact information was provided.
Beware of scammers posing as the IRS. If you get a call from someone claiming to work with a government agency, chances are they’re a crook. Unless you have received…
