SOUTHFIELD, Mich. (MARCH 22, 2024) – As many Americans rush to complete their taxes before the April 15 due date, Better Business Bureau urges consumers to remain cautious of tax scams targeting their personal information. Every year, con artists resurface with schemes involving impersonation of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), aiming to deceive individuals into divulging sensitive data or parting with their money.

Melanie Duquesnel, President and CEO of Better Business Bureau Serving Eastern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula (left), emphasizes the persistence of tax scams: "Tax scams are among the most stubborn cons out there, and the culprits can be very persistent. While individuals are becoming more aware of ways to identify IRS impersonators and protect personal information, these criminals aren’t going away anytime soon, so it’s important to remain vigilant."

During this heightened period of vulnerability, taxpayers are advised to watch for various iterations of tax scams, including phishing emails with malicious links, counterfeit IRS websites, solicitations for personal information over the phone, and fraudulent IRS communications via non-traditional channels like text messages or social media direct messages.

To safeguard against falling victim to these fraudulent activities, consumers are advised to adhere to the following precautions:

· File taxes early to mitigate the risk of tax identity theft.

· Obtain an Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN) from the IRS before filing a return, as it serves as an additional layer of identity confirmation.

· Exercise caution regarding unsolicited communications purportedly from the IRS, as the agency does not initiate contact via email, text, or social media for personal or financial information.

· Utilize reputable tax preparation services, especially in the face of significant life changes or complex tax situations.

· Verify the authenticity of websites before providing sensitive information, ensuring interactions occur only on legitimate IRS platforms.

In the event of tax identity theft, affected individuals are encouraged to contact the IRS at 1-800-908-4490 and file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ftc.gov/complaint. Additionally,

placing a fraud alert on credit reports and closely monitoring financial accounts are recommended steps for mitigating the repercussions of compromised personal information. To help others avoid falling victim to a similar scam, also report the incident at BBB.org/ScamTracker.

For further guidance on protecting against tax scams, consumers can visit BBB.org/TaxTips or contact BBB at (866) 788-5706.

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