Only a few days into the filing season and the IRS has already identified a new scam. In a new twist, these criminals are filing fraudulent returns and using the taxpayers' real bank accounts for the deposit. A woman posing as a debt collection agency official then contacts the taxpayers to say a refund was deposited in error and asks the taxpayers to forward the money to her. This scheme is likely just the first of many that will be identified this year as the IRS, state tax agencies and tax industry continue to fight back against tax-related identity thieves.
In addition to contacting your tax preparer, taxpayers who receive a direct deposit refund they did not request should take the following steps:
In addition to contacting your tax preparer, 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.
- Visit the IRS identity protection page at: - https://www.irs.gov/identity-theft-fraud-scams/identity-protection
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