Scam techniques continue to evolve

The ongoing battle with robocalls and tax scams continues and seems to be ever changing. The need for diligence is present throughout the year.

During tax filing season it is even more important to be conscientious and diligent as identity-related information is being distributed and communicated at an increased level. The approach of these con artists continues to change to try and capture sensitive data from those individuals that are not on top of their game.

Any contact from the IRS is ALWAYS initiated by a letter delivered through the US Postal Service. This letter will identify the tax year being discussed, discuss the issue and provide a phone number that YOU may call to discuss the issue with a representative of the IRS.

The IRS NEVER initiates contact via phone calls, e-mails, texts, or by coming to your home. Generally, any government agency will contact you through the US postal service, not by telephone.

Already in 2020, I personally have received several attempts to steal my personal data or those of my clients.

One of the most recent and newer scams is the social security scam. I received a phone call from an imposter social security representative. They claimed to be needing to contact me immediately because my social security number had been linked to criminal activity and suspended.

The scammer then proceeded to ask me to confirm my social security number so that they could reactivate my number or issue me a new one for a fee. My social security number had not been compromised, and there was no emergency. Rather, this was a ploy to get my social security number as well as money to “fix” the problem.

In my case there was a person on the phone, but this con can is also done via a robocall as well. The robocall recording would provide a phone number to call to remedy the situation.

Often these imposters will have a heavy foreign accent.

Not all scam attempts are via the phone or email.

Sometimes the con artist will try to appear as an IRS representative by sending an artificial tax notice an individual. This is done in an attempt to both steal sensitive personal identity information as well as to have the target send money to them.

Never rush to respond to an un-anticipated notice and always inspect every detail of any notice.

If the request is not consistent with your own history and background that would be an initial red flag. I also would suggest you contact the published and approved number yourself for the IRS, the Social Security Administration or whatever taxing authority or government agency they claim to represent. Do not rely on any numbers that they may provide.

I experienced another scam that copied the legitimate masthead of a company and included the following text “Hello. I need a careful and experienced highquality tax preparer, to handle all my tax preparation, email me back if you have any questions.

Thanks.”

The from on the email line did not match the person’s name and was from an email address that had a foreign extension. So, although the request to provide services appeared to be from a legitimate business, it was not until I looked at all aspects of the email was I suspicious. Also look for improper grammar and misspelled words.

The need for ongoing diligence is ever increasing as communication methods increase and the ability to communicate around the world now exists.

All of us need to help each other in identifying and shutting down these con artists.

Senior citizens are especially vulnerable as some may have diminished faculties as a result of the natural aging process, and there is a natural fear of government contact that may exist. Those of us with aged parents also need to be on guard and communicate with our parents on a frequent and regular basis to ensure that they do not become victims to these unscrupulous activities as well.