AG James offers tips to protect consumers from fraud this tax season
With this year’s tax season underway, New York Attorney General Letitia James recently provided taxpayers with tips to help avoid fraudulent tax schemes. James also urged New Yorkers to stay vigilant and report any suspected scams to steal personal and financial information to her office.
“Tax season can be a stressful time of year, and the last thing any New Yorker needs is the added concern of dealing with scammers,” James said in a news release. “Bad actors can use a wide range of deceptive tactics, including impersonating government officials and falsely claiming to file people’s taxes, to steal money and personal information from unsuspecting New Yorkers. I encourage all those filing taxes to stay vigilant, follow the tips from my office, and contact us immediately if you believe you have been targeted or victimized by a scam.”
Common scams that New Yorkers should be on the lookout for include:
In her continued efforts to help New Yorkers file their tax return safely and avoid scams, Attorney General James offers the following tips:
Any New Yorker who suspects that they are a victim of a scam are encouraged to report it to the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) by submitting a complaint online or calling 800-771-7755. Tax scams should also be reported to the U.S. Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration at 800366-4484.
Today’s action is the latest in James’ efforts to protect consumers from fraudulent tax schemes and practices. In May 2022, James secured $141 million for millions of Americans who were deceived by TurboTax into paying for tax services that should have been free. Earlier last year in March 2022, James issued a notice to ensure New York cryptocurrency investors were informed about their tax obligations. In March 2021, James shut down a deceptive telefunding charity and ensured that future efforts to raise money would clearly inform New Yorkers that such donations are not tax deductible.