Criminals have a new twist on an old scam. After stealing client data from tax professionals and filing fraudulent tax returns, these criminals use the taxpayer’s real bank accounts for the deposit. Thieves are then using various tactics to reclaim the refund from the taxpayers.

One version:

Criminals posing as debt collection agency officials are contacting the taxpayers to say a refund was deposited in error, asking the taxpayers to forward the money to their collection agency.

Second version:

The taxpayer who received the erroneous refund gets automated call with a recorded voice saying he is from the IRS and threatens the taxpayer with criminal fraud charges, arrest warrant, “blacklisting” their social security number. The recorded voice gives the taxpayer a case number and a telephone number to call to return the refund.

Quickly growing scam involved erroneous tax refunds being deposited into their bank accounts. Call us and we can explain how to return the funds and avoid being scammed.