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Tax Scams and Consumer Alerts: Heads-up as we head into the giving season

Tax Scams and Consumer Alerts: Heads-up as we head into the giving season

If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is! In recent years, thousands of people have lost millions of dollars and their personal information to tax scams and fake IRS communication. This page looks at the scams affecting individuals, businesses, and tax professionals and what do if you if you spot a tax scam. 
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REMEMBER: The IRS doesn’t initiate contact with taxpayers by email, text messages or social media channels to request personal or financial information.  In addition, IRS does not threaten taxpayers with lawsuits, imprisonment or other enforcement action.  Being able to recognize these tell-tale signs of a phishing or tax scam could save you from becoming a victim.

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Tis the Season for Tax Scams and Fraud

Tis the Season for Tax Scams and Fraud

Tax season is prime time for scammers and cyber criminals. Beyond identity theft, which is seemingly quite commonplace, tax scams have the dubious distinction of rising to the top of the Better Business Bureau’s list of scams in 2016.

According to the Better Business Bureau Scam Tracker, the top ten list includes: 

  • Tax scamsScam Alert written on the road.jpeg
  • Debt collections
  • Sweepstakes/prizes/gifts
  • Online purchase
  • Employment read more…
IRS Reminds Seniors to Remain on Alert to Phone Scams during Tax Season

IRS Reminds Seniors to Remain on Alert to Phone Scams during Tax Season

WASHINGTON – With the 2017 tax season underway, the IRS reminds seniors to remain alert to aggressive and threatening phone calls by criminals impersonating IRS agents. The callers claim to be IRS employees, but are not. Ebook CTA image-2.jpg

These con artists can sound convincing when they call. They use fake names and bogus IRS identification badge numbers. They may know a lot about their targets, and they usually alter the caller ID to make it look like the IRS is calling. read more…

IRS Cautions Taxpayers to Watch for Summertime Scams

IRS Cautions Taxpayers to Watch for Summertime Scams

WASHINGTON – The Internal Revenue Service issued a warning that tax-related scams continue across the nation even thou

gh the tax filing season has ended for most taxpayers. People should remain on alert to new and emerging schemes involving the tax system that continue to claim victims. Cleveland CPAs warn against scams .jpeg

“We continue to urge people to watch out for new and evolving schemes this summer,” said IRS Commissioner John Koskinen. “Many of these are variations of a theme, involving fictitious tax bills and demands to pay by purchasing and transferring information involving a gift card or iTunes card. Taxpayers can avoid these and other tricky financial scams by taking a few minutes to review the tell-tale signs of these schemes.”

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Since 1938, Zinner has counseled individuals and businesses from start-up to succession. At Zinner, we strive to ensure we understand your business and recognize threats that could impact your financial situation.
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