News Affecting Seniors
Tax Scams By Sharon Lee Tax filing season brings new opportunities for scam artists and other criminals to prey upon victims. Recently, the IRS released its list of popular tax scams for 2016: https://www.irs.gov/uac/Newsroom/IRS-Wraps-Up-the-Dirty-Dozen-List-of-Tax-Scams-for-2016. EL&A clients have frequently complained about unsolicited phone calls from aggressive, unknown individuals impersonating IRS agents. These fake IRS agents have threatened to send police officers to arrest the victim in his or her home unless the victim immediately transfers money to the caller. Usually, the caller demands that the victim transfer the money by a prepaid debit card or wire transfer. The callers often employ extreme urgency into the calls and high-pressure tactics. Once the transfer is completed, the caller disappears. Because the perpetrator cannot be identified or located, victims and law enforcement cannot pursue criminal or civil legal action. In the end, the victim is unable to retrieve his or her money. Please note that the IRS will never initiate contact with taxpayers via email or telephone, require a specific payment method, request...
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