East Brunswick Police Warns Residents Of Scams Ahead Of Tax Season

EAST BRUNSWICK, NJ – It's tax season, and residents need to be on high alert for possible scammers who are adopting sophisticated ways to target taxpayers.

The East Brunswick Police Department has sent out a public service announcement asking residents to be alert.

The IRS will never initiate contact with a resident via email or text. If one does get an email or text, they need to verify the authenticity of such messages by contacting the IRS directly through their official website or phone numbers.

Here are some other tips:

• Always vet tax preparers carefully. Look for credentials such as a Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN) and reviews or references from trusted sources.
• The IRS will never call threatening arrest or demanding immediate payment. If you receive such a call, hang up and report the incident to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA).
• Be cautious about engaging with unsolicited offers or links on social media, especially if they promise unrealistic results. For accurate tax information, stick to official IRS channels.
• Use strong passwords and enable multi-factor authentication on accounts that store sensitive information. You may also want to consider filing your tax return early to reduce the chances of someone else filing in your name.

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