Scam Squad

Tax season may be in April, but tax scammers and identity thieves work all year long! Every year, crooks defraud taxpayers out of billions of dollars - don't fall for their schemes. Scammers may attempt to contact you by phone, email, text, or on social media to verify your information and access funds in your name. The IRS does NOT contact taxpayers by email, text messages or social media to request personal or financial information. 

Crooks can also file phony tax returns using your stolen personal information (like Social Security numbers) to get a tax refund from the IRS. Or, they may use your Social Security number to get a job, or claim your child as a dependent on a tax return.

Tax identity theft victims typically find out about the crime when they get a letter from the IRS saying that more than one tax return was filed in their name, or receive IRS records that show they received wages from an employer they don’t recognize. If you get a letter like this, don’t panic. Contact the IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit at 1-800-908-4490.  

Phishing refers to phony + fishing, the practice of sending fraudulent emails that impersonate a business to trick you into clicking on links, or opening attachments. Smishing refers to SMS + fishing, the similar practice of sending fraudulent text messages to your phone, through chat app likes Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, WeChat, etc. or through chat functions of gaming apps. These links and attachments can either take you to fake websites which steal your money and information, have you interact with criminals who want to trick you out of your money or information, or download viruses to your computer or phone. Don't reply to email, texts, or pop-up messages that ask for your personal or financial information or claim to remove viruses. Don’t click on links within them either – even if the message seems to be from an organization you trust. It isn’t. Legitimate businesses don’t ask you to send sensitive information through insecure channels. Vishing, short for voice phishing, is a similar fraud using a phone call or voicemail impersonate someone they are not, and try to get personal information, credit card numbers or your money for "safekeeping."

Financial scams often target older adults because they are thought to have a significant amount of money in their accounts. Because financial scams often go unreported or can be difficult to prosecute, they are considered “low-risk” crimes. Fraud aimed at older adults are becoming more creative as criminals adapt to what’s in the news, what is trending on social media or current events.

Scams can be devastating to vulnerable older adults, who may not have the time or ability to recoup their losses. It's not just wealthy adults who are targeted; low-income adults are also at risk of financial abuse, and it is not always strangers who perpetrate these crimes. Over 90% of all reported elder abuse is committed by family members, most often adult children, followed by grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and other caregivers.

For more information on common scams targeting older adults, click the document below (also available in Korean, Spanish and Chinese):

Veterans and Servicemember who have proudly served, or are currently serving, our country are constant targets for con artists. Families of veterans and servicemembers are also targeted. Click below to learn more about examples of recent scams.

Thousands of internet users fall victim to online romance scams each year. Unfortunately, these scammers are out to steal your money, not your heart. In a recent survey, romance scams ranked first in total reported financial losses. These scams can be incredibly convincing and they are increasingly being uncovered by users on dating websites and social media platforms.

You are visited by a solicitor who says that he's doing work in your neighborhood and has leftover paving products that can be used on your driveway for a reduced price. The “product” turns out to be an oil paint that runs off in the next rain. They may even convince you to pay for home improvement work (which is either not done or done poorly).

Or, a solicitor may claim your trees are diseased and offer to trim off the affected limbs or remove the tree. He will request money up front for work to be done the next day but won't return to do the job.

Others offer “free” water testing and claim that you need a filtration system to ensure your water is healthy. 

Most of these contractors are unlicensed, work without necessary safety permits, and/or do not provide the services offered or misrepresent the need for their services. Some have solicited work to “case” homes for burglaries. Anyone who knocks on your door to sell a product or service should have OCP's peddler or solicitor license.

Read OCP's tips on home improvement and clean up scams for more information.

You sold an item on eBay or another online reseller and the buyer sends you a check for more than the agreed upon price. The buyer asks you to go ahead and cash the check and in the meantime, send back the difference. Weeks later, you learn that the check was a fake. Click here for more information about how this scam works.

• 10 Ways To Avoid Fraud
• Avoiding Affinity Fraud
• Reduce Telemarketing and Robo-Calls
• Student Loan, Scholarship & Forgiveness Scams
• Cryptocurrency, Cons and Criminals

Small business owners have a lot on their mind and can’t afford to lose time or money to scammers or a compromised network. Here are some basic tips about common scams and schemes, and how to spot and avoid them.  By protecting your accounts, computers and networks, you not only keep your business safe, but keep your customers’ data safe – and protect your bottom line.