With tax filing season now in full swing, the Pace Women’s Justice Center (PWJC) is issuing a critical alert regarding “Tax Season Traps” designed to defraud senior citizens. Older adults are frequently targeted by criminals impersonating government officials and utilizing fear-based tactics to steal money and sensitive personal information.
According to Roberta S. Goodman, Esq., Senior Staff Attorney for the Elder Justice Unit at PWJC, fraudsters often pose as agents from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) or the Social Security Administration.
“These scammers contact potential victims via phone, email, or text, claiming there is an urgent problem with their taxes or government benefits to coerce them into providing personal information, funds, or data,” said Goodman.
To help seniors protect themselves, Goodman reminds seniors of the following:
- The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) typically contacts people by mail first.
- The IRS only reaches out by email or text with a person’s permission (with a few exceptions, like criminal investigations). The IRS may call you to address account matters. In some cases, IRS uses automated messages that direct you to IRS.gov to securely manage your account, make payments or resolve an issue. The messages don’t share specific details. In-person, unannounced visits are rare.
- The IRS will never reach out by text, phone, direct message (DM), or email to demand immediate payment or make a threat (such as calling law enforcement to make an arrest or immigration officials).
- Never click on an unfamiliar link sent by text or email.
- If you receive a suspicious or threatening call, don’t answer the phone (or if you answer, hang up immediately). Individuals can call the IRS directly at 800-829-1040.
- Report any suspicious activity to phishing@irs.gov. Visit https://www.irs.gov/help/report-fraud for further guidance on how to report scams.
- If you suspect your social security number (SSN), individual tax identification number (ITIN), or employer identification number (EIN) was stolen, report it immediately.
- The official IRS website is www.irs.gov. Be wary of odd or misspelled links that can take you to harmful sites.
