The IRS has issued a warning about a scam that comes to you via a delivery service. If you receive a cardboard envelope appearing to come from the IRS, it is a scam. The envelope contains the IRS masthead and the wording “in relation to your unclaimed refund.”
The IRS says it “never initiates contact with taxpayers by email, text or social media regarding a bill or tax refund.”
The fraudulent letter contains the scammers contact details and asks for personal and financial information, including a detailed photo of your driver’s license, cellphone number, Social Security number, bank account type and bank routing information.
It also includes a poorly written warning:
“You’ll Need to Get This to Get Your Refunds After Filing. These Must Be Given to a Filing Agent Who Will Help You Submit Your Unclaimed Property Claim. Once You Send All The Information Please Try to Be Checking Your Email for Response From The Agents Thanks”
The letter says the deadline for filing tax refunds is Oct. 17; the deadline for people on extension for their 2022 tax returns is really October 16th.
And the IRS controls tax refunds, not “unclaimed property.”
The letter also says, “A Clear Phone of Your Driver’s License That Clearly Displays All Four (4) Angles, Taken in a Place with Good Lighting.”
Note that the message says “phone” not photo. Many scams are poorly worded and include spelling and grammar mistakes. Those are all red flags.
What to do if you receive the scam mailing
Do not respond.
Report the scam to phishing@irs.gov
And to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration. https://www.tigta.gov/
Also, to the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center. https://www.ic3.gov/
https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/tax-scams-how-to-report-them
Each year the IRS publishes “The Dirty Dozen” which is a list of the most common scams that taxpayers may encounter.
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