ECONOMY & WORK
MONEY 101
NEWS
PERSONAL FINANCE
NET WORTH
About Us Contact Us Privacy Policy Terms of Use DMCA Opt-out of personalized ads
© Copyright 2023 Market Realist. Market Realist is a registered trademark. All Rights Reserved. People may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.
MARKETREALIST.COM / ECONOMY & WORK

Scammers Exploit TurboTax's Popularity in Tax Season Scam

TurboTax users are being targeted in sophisticated scams.
PUBLISHED MAR 15, 2024
Cover Image Source: Tax forms | Getty Images | Photo by Justin Sullivan
Cover Image Source: Tax forms | Getty Images | Photo by Justin Sullivan

As tax season sweeps across the nation, fraudsters are ramping up their efforts to prey on unsuspecting taxpayers, with a particular focus on users of the popular tax preparation software, TurboTax. Steve Weisman, a professor at Bentley University and the founder of scamicide.com, has issued a stark warning. "The scammers are capitalizing on the widespread use of TurboTax for electronic filing," he explains.

Unsplash | Photo by Markus Winkler
Image Source: Unsplash | Photo by Markus Winkler

"By impersonating TurboTax representatives and spoofing caller IDs, they create a convincing facade to lure in unsuspecting victims," adds Weisman.

According to him, the modus operandi of these scammers involves contacting individuals under the guise of TurboTax customer service representatives. Even before confirming if the targeted individuals are TurboTax users, the scammers employ a shotgun approach, banking on the likelihood that many individuals utilize the software.

"Through clever manipulation of caller IDs, victims may see incoming calls appearing to originate from TurboTax, further enhancing the illusion of legitimacy," he elaborates.

The fraudulent callers inform recipients that their tax return has been rejected and proceed to request sensitive personal information over the phone. They claim that this information is necessary to rectify the purported issue and resubmit the return on behalf of the victim.

NILES, IL - MARCH 23: A Best Buy employee walks past a display for TurboTax software in a Best Buy store March 23, 2006 in Niles, Illinois. As next month's income tax deadline approaches, Americans are preparing for it by using tax software, filing out paper forms or by using a tax preparer. (Photo by Tim Boyle/Getty Images)
Image Source: TurboTax | Photo by Tim Boyle | Getty Images

Weisman emphasizes that TurboTax does not initiate unsolicited calls to customers regarding issues with their tax returns unless specifically requested by the customer. Therefore, any unexpected call purportedly from the company should be treated with extreme caution.

"If you receive such a call and are a TurboTax customer, it's imperative to terminate the call immediately and contact TurboTax customer service directly," he advises.

Scammers are adept at exploiting human emotions, particularly during periods of heightened financial anticipation, such as tax season. "Maintaining a healthy level of skepticism is crucial. Always verify the authenticity of unexpected communications, especially when dealing with sensitive financial matters," he adds.

A woman picks up tax forms for tax filling | Getty Images | Photo by Chris Hondros
Image Source: A woman picks up tax forms for tax filling | Getty Images | Photo by Chris Hondros

As tax season progresses, a concerning number of Americans seeking assistance with their tax returns are becoming wary of potential tax preparation service scams. A consumer survey by LifeLock revealed that sixty-one percent of Americans express concerns about being targeted by common tax scams.

"Criminals know most people are confused and overwhelmed by the tax filing process and would rather leave it to a pro to make sure they get the biggest refund or smallest penalty," said Ian Bednowitz, General Manager of Identity for LifeLock.

Image Source: Getty Images | Photo by Scott Olson
Image Source: Getty Images | Photo by Scott Olson

With over half of Americans choosing to outsource tax preparation and a significant portion opting for self-filing software, it's important to discern the legitimacy of these services. These scams not only pose a risk of identity theft and financial loss but also the possibility of facing IRS repercussions. Scammers employ various tactics to deceive taxpayers, often presenting themselves as legitimate tax preparation service providers through emails, social media advertisements, and text messages. 

"There is a perception that hiring a tax pro or using a software service can be expensive. So, people shop around for alternative solutions, which can ultimately cost them a lot more if they stumble onto a fake site or hand over their tax forms to a fraudster," states Bednowitz.

MORE ON MARKET REALIST
The item might have been worth more, but no one had any idea of how much it could sell for.
14 hours ago
Mr. Wonderful did not hold anything back as he even called the entrepreneurs bad at marketing.
15 hours ago
The player couldn't believe that she had aced the "Grand Game" of the show.
16 hours ago
Cuban beat offers from Lori Greiner and Kevin O'Leary to add the company to his portfolio.
18 hours ago
Rick Harrison wanted to pay less than a thousand bucks at first, but the guest was a tough negotiator.
1 day ago
The contestant had a good start to the game but things did not end all that well.
1 day ago
The guest inherited the jewels from her mother and then found out that they were Cartier products.
1 day ago
The host Pat Sajak was seen standing with a broom while the contestant was celebrating.
2 days ago
The contestant wasn't able to match the excitement with his performance.
2 days ago
The guest said that there was so much more that she hadn't even brought to the show.
2 days ago
This wasn't the first time that an appraisal by an expert worked in favor of the seller.
2 days ago
The contestant seemed to be going through the emotions even before the results were revealed.
2 days ago
As per the guest, even her father had no idea where the piece of jewelry came from.
3 days ago
The contestant was supposed to name a deceased artist who they'd like to see perform as a hologram.
3 days ago
The shoes were apparently the same ones Ali wore in the iconic Thrilla in Manila fight in 1975.
4 days ago
The guest had no idea about the value of what he possessed and was concerned about it being fake.
4 days ago
This was perhaps one of the cruelest Bonus Round puzzles that the show has seen in a while.
4 days ago
The woman also shared her personal opinion about effect of flavorings on the brain.
4 days ago
The 51-year-old will have Hollywood star Matt Damon as partner, and Jimmy Kimmel as host.
5 days ago
The guest claimed to have read the book multiple times as a kid and the signs showed.
5 days ago