Warnings For National Tax Security Awareness Week

This is National Tax Security Awareness Week in the state of Washington and the Better Business Bureau is warning that you could become a victim if you're not careful. Danielle Kane the Manager of the BBB office in Richland says even though it's not the tax season scammers are busy searching for victims. She says many of the scammers use intimidation to get financial information. "Saying that if you don't call back you could be arrested or other things that are scary to the average consumer."
Kane says if you get a call or an e mail from someone claiming to be from the IRS never give out your financial information. She says delete the e mail and hang up phone. Kane says the IRS would never use intimidation tactics and would never contact people through a phone call or an e mail. The IRS exclusively uses the US Mail system.
And if you do get a call or an e mail share that information, e mails and phone numbers with your tax professional, the IRS and the Better Business Bureau.
Last year, BBB processed about 2,400 complaints (nationally) against tax return preparation services and related businesses (including accountants).