Tax inquiries are legitimate, but phone calls aren’t

The state’s tax collectors are again this year contacting some people for more information before sending out tax refunds.

They’re basically seeking to verify identity and income as part of a nationwide effort to cut down on identity theft and refund fraud.

So if you get this kind of request from the state Taxation and Revenue Department, how do you know whether it’s legitimate or yet another scam?

For starters, the request for more information will come by mail only and not by phone.

“If you receive a phone call where you are threatened or where information is requested, it is a scam,” the agency said in a news release. “DO NOT provide any information to the caller.”

The department might seek to verify your income by asking for copies of W-2s, 1099s and/or other income source documents that show New Mexico withholding.

As for confirming your identity, you might be asked to provide a copy of your driver’s license or identification card or your Social Security card. If you asked for direct deposit of your refund, you might be asked for a voided check or bank product summary to verify your bank account.

To keep yourself safe, know that the state tax department, in seeking this additional information, will never:

Call about taxes owed without first having mailed you a bill.

Demand that you pay taxes without providing the opportunity to question or appeal the amount it says you owe.

Threaten to have you arrested for not paying.

Threaten to cancel your driver’s license.

If you are uncertain, you can always deliver the requested documents to the nearest state tax office. If you receive a suspicious call from someone claiming to be with the agency, report it at 1-866-4576789 or Tax.Fraud@state.nm.us.

I recently mentioned a credit freeze as an option if you think your identity has been stolen or if you just want an extra measure of protection. Taking this step

lets you restrict access to your credit report, which in turn makes it more difficult for identity thieves to open new accounts in your name. That’s because most creditors need to see your credit report before they approve a new account. If they can’t see your file, they may not extend the credit.

However, a friend pointed out what I failed to mention: a freeze for New Mexico residents is free if you’re 65 or older or if you’ve been a victim of identity theft. For everyone else, it costs $10. It might cost an additional $5 to release a credit report to a specific person or for a specific period of time, or to lift the freeze.

To be effective, a freeze should be placed with all three major credit reporting companies – Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.

Google says it has put a stop to a widespread email spam campaign that spoofed its online file service, Google Docs.

Users were reporting getting an email that looked like it was from someone they know, informing them a Google Doc had been sent. They were directed to a fake page that asked for access to their Google account. Once access was granted, the scammers were able to get into the user’s contact list in a classic phishing scam.

However, Google now says it has shut down the scam, removed the fake pages and updated its Safe Browsing feature, which warns users when they visit dangerous sites. It says no further action is needed but says those who want to be extra safe can run Google’s security check feature.