Protect Yourself: Beware Of Tax Scams Targeting Montanans

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - You’re at your computer, or scrolling the email on your phone, and suddenly you receive an official-looking message from the IRS stating that your income taxes have been hacked with a link to help fix the problem.

Don’t fall for it, because it’s a scam.

Tis the Season for Income Tax Fraud and Scams

KGVO News spoke to Jeff Obie, Special Agent in Charge of the Denver IRS Field Office about what to expect as the time draws near to file your income taxes.

“Generally, the IRS is not going to contact you by text or email asking for any of your personal information or requesting any kind of tax payment or anything like that,” began Special Agent Obie. “Any contact from the IRS is really going to start with an actual letter through the post office to your house. A lot of times these scammers will like to send an email that looks very official. Sometimes it looks like it's coming from IRS even with the official IRS seal.”

Obie said There's a New Wrinkle in IRS Scams

Obie said a new wrinkle in the tax scams could replicate a message from your own tax preparer.

“A new scam that's happening now involves emails that look like they're coming from a tax preparer that you might have used in the past or a reputable tax preparer that is known in the community or across the nation providing you with a link to verify your official tax information,” he said. “I'd like to remind everybody not to click links on those emails.” In fact, you really should never click links in emails in general. Always go independently on your own to that website and verify that you're dealing with the legitimate entity.”

Obie said there are quick ways to contact the IRS if you feel you’ve been defrauded in an income tax scam.

Look Below for Legitimate  IRS Email Contacts in Case of Trouble

“Here are a couple of email addresses for you; phishing@irs.gov. If you receive an email that you think is attempting to get your information or defraud you, just forward that email straight to that email website or if you want a more of a local flavor, you can email denverfieldoffice@ci.irs.gov.

Report fraud to law enforcement via a Form 3949-A, Information Referral, if you suspect an individual or a business is committing fraud.

Listeners can also reporter online scams to the Internet Crime Complaint Center. Internet Crime Complaint Center(IC3) | Home Page.