U.S Attorney’s Office issue tips for avoiding Tax Fraud

1. Choose tax preparers wisely. Look for preparers who are available year-round.

2. Ask tax preparers for their IRS Preparer Tax Identification Numbers (“PTINs”). All paid preparers are required to have these numbers.

3. Do not use ghost preparers. These are preparers who will not sign tax returns they prepare.

4. Do not fall victim to tax preparers’ promises of large refunds. All taxpayers must pay their fair share of taxes.

5. Do not sign blank tax returns. Taxpayers are ultimately responsible for what appears on the tax returns that are filed with the IRS, no matter who prepares them.

6. Make sure that tax refunds are received and deposited into the bank accounts of taxpayers, not tax preparers.

7. Do not take telephone calls from anyone claiming to be the IRS or threatening legal action on behalf of the IRS. The IRS does not make calls like this. Hang up on anyone claiming to be a representative of the IRS.

8. Do not respond to text messages, emails, or social media posts from anyone claiming to be the IRS. These communications may contain malware that can compromise personal information.

9. Do not click links or open attachments in unsolicited emails or text messages about tax returns. These messages are fraudulent.

10. Protect personal and financial information. Never provide this information in response to unsolicited text messages, emails, or social media posts from anyone claiming to be the IRS.