Scammers have refund put into your account

You didn’t file your income tax return yet — but suddenly, somehow you spotted a bunch of money in your bank account from a refund.

Believe it or not, criminals are using real bank accounts in a fast-spreading scam that could gain more traction as we move into prime refund season, according to the Internal Revenue Service.

“It’s super-sophisticated,” said Luis Garcia, a spokesman for the IRS in Detroit. “If you haven’t filed your taxes — especially if you’re not expecting a refund — and money shows up in your account, don’t touch it.”

Last summer, the IRS reported that cybercriminals had been targeting tax professionals. According to the IRS, 177 tax professionals or firms reported data thefts involving client information relating to thousands of tax filers from January through May 2017. Much of that theft started with a phishing email sent to the tax professional posing as a potential client to gain access to the professionals’ computer systems and collect the personal information of existing clients.

After stealing the data from tax professionals, criminals could have your bank account number if you requested direct deposit of a refund earlier.

Now, the crooks who file fake tax returns to steal refund cash could be giving the IRS your bank account information for direct deposit of fraudulent refunds.

How do the crooks then get the cash?

One scheme includes an automated call that claims that you’re a willing participant in tax fraud and demands that you return the money. Of course, if you follow their directions, you’re handing the money over to the crooks.

Garcia said some people could be caught off guard by such calls, especially when they suddenly spot a deposit from the U.S. Treasury in their account.

“It’s jarring when somebody calls you and they know your bank account,” Garcia said.

The IRS is set to begin issuing tax refunds as of Feb. 27 for many early filers who receive the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Additional Child Tax Credit.

As part of the crackdown on tax-related ID fraud, the IRS has been taking extra steps to avoid depositing refunds onto suspicious prepaid cards. That’s why the scam could involve a twist.

After the money hits your account, a con artist might pose as a debt collection official working on behalf of the

IRS. The crook might say the refund was deposited in error and they ask the taxpayer to forward the money to their collection agency.

Don’t do it.

Or a robocall claims to be from the IRS and threatens the person with an arrest warrant unless refund money is turned over. Don’t do it.

“This isn’t your refund,” Garcia said. “You’re the victim of tax fraud. But don’t complicate things by not returning that money to the IRS — not the scammers.”

What should you do? Contact your bank. Don’t spend the money. Follow the steps to return the fraudulent refund to the IRS. Some consumers have reported their bank accounts ended up frozen as banks deal with this criminal twist.

The IRS said taxpayers who receive an erroneous refund should contact the Automated Clearing House department of their bank. The bank would return the erroneous refund.

The taxpayer should contact the IRS at 800-829-1040 for an individual filer or 800-829-4933 for a business.