City Of Franklin: Tips On Avoiding Tax Season Scams, From Our Friends At Age Well Middle Tennessee

Press release from the City of Franklin:

February 23, 2022

As a new tax season ramps up, keep in mind that scammers will be ramping up their efforts to steal YOUR money. The scams come in different forms: phishing emails, harassing phone calls, and tax return identity theft.

Here are some steps to help keep your identity and money safe:

• File taxes early to avoid scammers
• Be cautious about tax-related emails. Do not use links within the email. Instead, go to the IRS website for relevant information
• Hang up on IRS impersonator phone calls
• Report suspicious emails or phone calls ASAP
• Shred bank and tax documents before throwing them away
• Update your computer security software

• call about past taxes without having mailed several notices first
• call to demand payment with threats to involve law enforcement and have you arrested
• call or email asking you to divulge personal and/or financial information
• require payment without allowing you to appeal or even question the amount due
• require you to use a specific payment method like a pre-paid debit card
• ask for your credit/debit card and/or bank information over the phone

This press release was produced by the City of Franklin. The views expressed here are the author’s own.