As we enter into the annual income tax filing season, International Students and Scholar Services (ISSS) wants to remind community members to be on the alert for tax scams, which are especially common during this time of year.

Tax scams can take many different forms. They involve illegal efforts to gain access to your personal information or money through deception. Scams can include phone calls from persons impersonating Internal Revenue Service (IRS) agents, using your personal information to try to claim tax refunds that are owed to you, and many more.

The Internal Revenue Services has a dedicated webpage on common tax scams that we encourage you to read. Among their recommendations include the following:

• Do not respond to phone calls or messages claiming to be from the IRS, especially if they are asking you for your personal information (including Social Security Numbers or bank account information) or demanding immediate payment. The IRS typically sends tax bills and information by mail, not over the phone.
• Do not make any payments without consulting a tax specialist first, especially if the requested payment methods are unusual, such as purchasing debit or gift cards.
• Do not provide credit or debit card information over the phone to anyone claiming to be a tax officer.
• Be cautious of text messages from unknown numbers, as these may involving phishing.
• Be alert to ‘high pressure’ tactics demanding that you pay tax penalties immediately or face consequences such as arrest or removal.

In addition, the Division of Taxation of the State of Rhode Island has also put out helpful resources for recognizing tax scams and tax fraud. 

During this season, take extra care to avoid tax scams! Contact ISSS if you have any questions.