{"id":3054,"date":"2019-03-26T15:44:29","date_gmt":"2019-03-26T19:44:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/keysolutions.us\/blog\/?p=3054"},"modified":"2019-03-26T15:44:36","modified_gmt":"2019-03-26T19:44:36","slug":"pa-dept-of-revenue-warns-taxpayers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/keysolutions.us\/blog\/pa-dept-of-revenue-warns-taxpayers\/","title":{"rendered":"PA Dept. of Revenue Warns Taxpayers"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

TIS THE SEASON WHEN THE IRS REMINDS TAXPAYERS OF THE VARIOUS ID THEFT SCAMS CON ARTISTS ARE USING \u2013 THE PA DEPT. OF REVENUE ISSUES ITS OWN ANNOUNCEMENT<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

While One Should Always be Cautious of Sharing Personal Information, “Tax Time” Always Calls for Increased Caution and Discretion<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The PA Department of Revenue issued a\nreminder to taxpayers to be cautious of scams and \u201cphishing\u201d schemes that are\nbeing used by criminals to steal taxpayers\u2019 money and personal financial\ninformation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While these warnings mimic those of the IRS,\nthey serve as a reminder that one can never be too careful about sharing your\ninformation with others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThese scams are especially common at this\ntime of year when people start to file their personal income tax returns,\u201d\nRevenue Secretary Dan Hassell said. \u201cCriminals use high-pressure tactics and\nthreats to pressure hard-working Pennsylvanians into providing money or\nsensitive information. We want the public to be aware of these scams to avoid\ntaking action that they\u2019ll regret.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The PA Department of Revenue issued a\nreminder to taxpayers to be cautious of scams and \u201cphishing\u201d schemes that are\nbeing used by criminals to steal taxpayers\u2019 money and personal financial\ninformation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/strong>
Common Scam: Criminals Posing as a Government Agency<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Criminals Posing as a Government Agency<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

One prevalent scam involves phony \u201cFinal\nDemand For Payment\u201d notices that have been mailed to many taxpayers. The\nnotices from the \u201cTax Processing Center\u201d threaten the seizure of a taxpayer\u2019s\nproperty if the recipient of the notice fails to make immediate payment to the\n\u201cState of Pennsylvania.\u201d The notices also provide an 800-number to call to\n\u201cavoid enforcement.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is a classic scam that uses pressure\ntactics and fear to motivate the recipient into taking immediate action.\nCriminals may also access public records so they can include taxpayer-specific\ninformation on the notices to make them appear legitimate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Email, \u2018Phishing\u2019 and Malware Scams<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Individuals should beware of criminals using\n\u201cphishing\u201d schemes, which involve the use of fraudulent email messages,\ndeceptive software or malicious files that are designed to steal sensitive\ninformation, such as passwords, usernames or personal financial information.\nScammers often use this information to steal your money, your identity or both.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to individual taxpayers, the IRS\nreports that these schemes have targeted tax professionals, payroll\nprofessionals, human resources personnel and school administrators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In one common scam publicized by the IRS, criminals pose as a person or organization the taxpayer trusts or recognizes. They may hack an email account and send mass emails under another person\u2019s name, or they may pose as a bank, credit card company or tax software provider. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Criminals also go to great lengths to create websites that appear legitimate but contain phony log-in pages. These criminals hope victims will \u201ctake the bait\u201d and provide money, passwords, Social Security numbers and other information that can lead to identity theft.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tips To Avoid Scams<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The PA DOR is encouraging Pennsylvanians to\nkeep the following tips in mind to safeguard against these deceptive scams:<\/p>\n\n\n\n