Latest Filing Scheme at Beginning of Tax Season

New Filing Season Scam:

Cybercriminals are posing as debt collectors before contacting compromised taxpayers and requesting for the taxpayer to return refunds deposited to their bank accounts in error. After cybercriminals have stolen taxpayer data obtained through a practitioner’s comprised computer system, the cybercriminals have been contacting these taxpayers after fraudulently filing a return for them with the IRS.

 

Taxpayers who receive a direct deposit refund they did not request should take the following steps:

  • Contact the Automated Clearing House (ACH) department of the bank/financial institution where the direct deposit was received and have them return the refund to the IRS.
  • Call the IRS toll-free at 800-829-1040 (individual) or 800-829-4933 (business) to explain why the direct deposit is being returned.
  • Keep in mind interest may accrue on the erroneous refund.