COLORADO SPRINGS — Criminal investigators with the IRS are sending a warning about an increasing number of fraud attacks as people try to get their taxes sorted out and taken care of. News5 followed up on those warnings to find out more.
According to the IRS, criminals are pulling out all of their tricks for tax season. From stealing mail to aggressive texts, phone calls, and even social media messages, the goal is to try to get you to pay them this tax season, or to find a way to get their hands on your tax return before you can.
Recently we told you about an investigation into stolen mail in the Monument area. With no arrests made to this point and tax season here, we continue to follow up on concerns from homeowners like Travis Sheveland. He’s doing his best to keep an eye on his mailbox.
”I signed up for the informed delivery just to see what should be coming in my mail,” said Sheveland.
People here are aware of the potential dangers. If the mail thieves were to get their hands on sensitive information or even tax season mail it could easily lead to a series of fraud attacks.
”Ever since COVID that’s been a nightmare. So, I would hate to see what would happen to people if their refund checks got stolen,” said Sheveland.
News5 spoke with Andy Tsui, the special agent in charge for IRS criminal investigations at the Denver field office. He says the fraud attacks are already being launched.
”The fact that it’s filing season we always see an uptick in IRS…
