Prairie State Wire

Comptroller Susana Mendoza has issued a warning about tax-related scams as the tax season approaches. She emphasized the importance of safeguarding personal information when dealing with tax documents. "Just like throughout the year, you should take precautions to safeguard your personal information when it comes to tax documents," Mendoza stated. "Scammers often use scare tactics to try and get taxpayers to hand over private information and money."

Several scams are currently circulating that attempt to mimic official communication from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). These include receiving a cardboard envelope in the mail with an IRS letterhead note about an unclaimed refund, which requests sensitive information such as a driver's license photo and Social Security number. The IRS notes these letters may be poorly worded and feature different fonts.

Telephone scams targeting recent immigrants and those with limited English proficiency are also prevalent. Impersonators threaten arrest or deportation unless payment is made via gift card or wire transfer. The IRS clarifies that if money is owed, they will first send a bill by mail.

Taxpayers are also warned about false unemployment compensation claims, where criminals use stolen identities to file fraudulent claims for benefits. Taxpayers should report any unauthorized unemployment claims to the Illinois Department of Employment Services (IDES).

Phishing and malware scams involve emails or texts using the IRS logo, asking for personal information or directing recipients to links containing malware. A specific scam targets college students and faculty with .edu email addresses.

Mendoza advises avoiding "ghost" tax return preparers who do not sign prepared returns, potentially promising large refunds while diverting funds into their accounts.

In cases of social security compromise, individuals should file a report with the Illinois Attorney General and request Fraud Alert protection from major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion.

Mendoza reiterated that legitimate government entities will not call taxpayers demanding payment through wire transfers or gift cards: "Remember, neither the state nor the federal government will call taxpayers, threatening them and demanding payment via a wire transfer, credit, debit or gift card," she said. "That’s a sure sign of a scam."

The Illinois Office of Comptroller offers a "Find My Refund" feature on its website for checking state tax refund status once taxes are filed. The office mails out refunds within 24-48 hours after receiving vouchers from IDOR.

The deadline for filing income taxes is April 15, 2024.