DOR Warns of Tax Season Phishing Schemes

The Indiana Department of Revenue (DOR) is partnering with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to share the top tax filing season concerns referred to as the “IRS Dirty Dozen” tax scams for 2018.

The first scam in the 12-part series is “phishing” schemes, designed to gather personal information or money from the taxpayer. These new or evolving phishing schemes work specifically to target taxpayers during filing season.

One new phishing scam victimizing thousands of taxpayers includes depositing money into the taxpayer’s bank account. The scam artist gains access to client data from tax professionals, and then files a fraudulent tax return, using the taxpayer’s own bank account to deposit funds. Once the funds are deposited, the thief then uses various tactics to reclaim the refund from the taxpayer, including falsely claiming to be from a collection agency or the IRS. Phone calls, emails and websites are used to make the scheme seem legitimate.

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