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Once this Tax Season is Over a Deadly New Tax Scam Awaits You

Posted by jackpayne • 4/08/08 • Subscribe to this Discussion [RSS] • Report This Topic
Topics: con artists, con man, con men, legal crime, legal thriller, scam artists

Identity theft is now the Number 1 crime in America--has been for the past 7 years. Now, the con men have come up with a deadly new scam to rob you of your identity, riding on the tax code as their primary tool for stealing your income, assets, savings, inheritance. This scam will start in earnest right after April 15, once this current tax season is over. Are you ready for it?

www.legalthriller.blogspot.com

User Comments

4/09/08

Aprilfreelance

Unfortunately, this is probably a lucrative scam. The term "IRS" carries an inherent fear/respect/awe for a lot of people who will do anything for them. I used to work at H&R Block years ago. We would get people coming in terrified carrying a letter from the IRS. They never even opened it. Just brought it straight to the office as soon as they checked their mail.

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4/09/08

globalgirl

Hi Jack - Paying taxes is a scam :-) though I still file.

Have you seen "Freedom to Fascism"?

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4/09/08

jackpayne

Yeah, April, if you worked for H & R Block you would have seen it all--as to the panic-packed punch IRS can instill.

No, GG, I haven't seen Freedom to Fascism? What is it? Tape, Disc, Movie?

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1. 4/09/08
  
  globalgirl
  
  Just found it on Google Video - 1 hour and 51 minutes - go make popcorn and enjoy! video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-1656880303867390173
  
  Website: www.freedomtofascism.com/
4/09/08

kaybday

Wow. Why did Google remove the video? And why's it still on YouTube if Google removed it?

Taxes. Don't even get me started.

Jack, that's a great post. My older daughter already received a call like that. Her dog's irate barking helped conclude the call! I'm gonna link to your post if that's okay, from my newbie blog. Good post, good advice. Thx. Kay

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4/09/08

kdawg68

Well done, Jack. Wasn't there a scam like this in previous years? I think I remember being warned of the phone calls. The website/forms thing is a new twist though. I think I'd have to have fun with them - get their contact info and suggest that I have an emergency and have to contact them back - then call back late and claim to be with the FBI. Make 'em wet themselves a bit.

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4/09/08

techfun

Jack, nice post. People do need to be vigilant. You mentioned Identity Theft being the number one crime for the past 7 years. I was just wondering about your source, I'd love to include that stat but need a citation. Also, Number One in what sense? Reported crimes? Criminal conviction of perpetrators? Financial cost of the crimes?

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4/09/08

Norski

Thanks for this thread: You put me a step closer to quota in "Apathetic Lemming of the North."

And, in a more global perspective, thanks for alerting people to another scam. I'm afraid that this isn't "new" to me: Just an updated version of the old 'impersonate an authority' sort of swindle.

And, I've linked to your post. As noted above.

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4/09/08

jackpayne

Thanks, GG.

Good luck to you with your Newbie Blog, Kay. And, yes, fine with me if you want to link to my tax piece.

Yes, Dawg, These scams, actually, do go back a few years. The reason I tied the "New" tag to it is because this year it is starting even BEFORE tax deadline time, April 15. This rings the alarm bell that it will be especially brutal this year, thus making it "New" to a great many people.

I first picked up on the identity theft ranking from either an FBI or FTC News Release some time ago, TechFun. Can't recall which. Anyhow it was confirmed by a Lifelock radio commercial playing last week. (I'll try to find the FBI or FTC link.)

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1. 4/10/08
  
  techfun
  
  Thanks Jack, I've heard the LifeLock ad on Sirius and was very annoyed that they do not specify what criteria they used to make that statement.
4/09/08

jackpayne

Appreciate your linking to me, Norski. This scam is so bad, and immediately upcoming (it's going to be with us heavily starting next week), that the wider the word is spread, the better.

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4/09/08

clioandme

Given the IRS's bad image in the U.S., I'm surprised anyone would be willing to believe that the I.R.S. would call with good news. Hell, they don't call with bad news either. And they never double-check information. They just make their demands or point out an error and send a check.

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4/09/08

jackpayne

That is a stretch, isn't it, Mark? IRS carries the image of a haughty, look-down-your-nose entity, one which never smiles. Yet, this is the "difference" that makes his scam go: putting a real PR face on IRS.

I wonder how many taxpayers will be caught completely unawares, and let themselves get scammed by this one--set to start next week.

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4/10/08

jackpayne

Can't find the exact link, TechFun. Guess the only thing to do is go to the Archives and dig for it.

www.fbi.gov.

Looks like this scam is heating up, and will come to a boiling point shortly after April 15.

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4/13/08

jackpayne

Just 2 days to go. Anybody interested in the big "tax refund scam" you could well face, shortly after April 15?

www.legalthriller.blogspot.com

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1. 4/13/08
  
  kellybax
  
  I am, I read it. In fact, I blogged it and linked to your article. Sorry, forgot to tell you about that. Here is the link www.loveshakbaby.com/2008/04/dont-become-pre.html
4/14/08

jackpayne

One day to go.

Tick...tick...tick...

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4/14/08

riverstyxxx

consumerist.com/379460/scammers-want-your-stimulus-check-and-tax-refund

This showed up too.

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4/14/08

jackpayne

Thanks, River. This is HUGELY interesting.

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