Beware of the Summer Surge of Tax Scams: Stay Safe with Norvet MSP
Beware of the Summer Surge of Tax Scams: Stay Safe with Norvet MSP
8/1/2023
by Gregory Rivers
With tax season behind us, it's easy to assume the coast is clear in terms of tax scams. However, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is warning taxpayers to brace for a surge of scams as the summer progresses. The methods vary widely but the goal remains the same: to trick taxpayers into sharing personal information that can lead to identity theft.
Here's a breakdown of some of the scams that have caught the attention of the IRS and how you can stay safe.
Economic Impact Payment Scheme
This scam revolves around the third round of Economic Impact Payments, with scam emails promising status updates about these payments. But the truth is, these payments occurred over two years ago and are not ongoing. The emails typically contain spelling errors and factual inaccuracies, urging you to click on links that lead to phishing websites.
False Employee Retention Credit (ERC) Claims
Scammers are falsely claiming that people can quickly claim the ERC. These scams involve fraudulent promotions online, through social media, radio, unsolicited emails, and even mailings that mimic official government letters. Be on the lookout for these illegitimate promoters, especially those who charge upfront fees or a fee based on a percentage of the ERC claimed.
"Claim Your Tax Refund Online" Scheme
In these schemes, scammers capitalize on the allure of free or overlooked money. They send emails and texts urging you to claim a refund that doesn't exist, riddled with misspellings and imploring you to click a link to claim the refund.
"Help You Fix-It" Text Scheme
These scams come via text from an official-sounding source, such as "govirs-accnnt2023". The text message states there's a problem with your tax return, which they can help resolve if you click on the link. Beware of these, as they're often fraught with errors and inaccuracies.
"Delivery Service" Scam
This newer scam involves a mailing that appears to be from a delivery service. The enclosed letter, complete with an IRS masthead, misleads recipients into believing they are owed a refund.
How to Stay Safe
At Norvet MSP, we're dedicated to guiding you through potential cybersecurity threats that could jeopardize your financial security and personal privacy. Discover key measures to fortify your digital safety:
Avoid clicking on links from unverified sources. Cybercriminals frequently use such tactics to extract personal data.
Stay cautious with unexpected communication. Remember, the IRS won't reach out about bills or tax refunds via email, text, or social platforms.
Verify any message that appears to be from a friend or family member. It could be a compromised email or text account.
Report any scams you come across to the IRS via phishing@irs.gov, the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, or the Internet Crime Complaint Center.
Don't let scammers put a damper on your summer. Stay vigilant, stay informed, and, as always, feel free to reach out to us at Norvet MSP for guidance on how to navigate these digital threats.