Attorney General Ashley Moody has issued a warning about direct deposit refund scams as part of the conclusion of the 2024 Tax Season Scam Series. Speaking on the matter, Moody emphasized the importance of remaining vigilant against fraudulent schemes during the tax season, stating, “We’re concluding our 2024 Tax Season Scam Series with a warning about direct deposit refund scams. As Floridians finalize their tax filings and wait for refunds to be delivered, it is important to remain vigilant for fraudulent schemes.”
The Attorney General highlighted key points to help taxpayers avoid falling victim to these scams, including the fact that the IRS will not contact individuals via text or email regarding payments, and will never demand payments in the form of wire transfers or gift cards. Moody also stressed that the IRS will not call taxpayers to demand immediate payments through specific methods.
To address any concerns or report potential scams, taxpayers are encouraged to contact the IRS directly through their official website. Additionally, individuals can report tax scams or other fraudulent activities to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.FTC.gov.
As part of efforts to track tax refunds and stay informed, the IRS provides online tools such as the 'Where’s My Refund?' webtool and the IRS2Go mobile app for checking the status of refunds. Floridians can access previous installments of the 2024 Tax Season Scam Series by visiting MyFloridaLegal.com/ConsumerAlert.
The issuance of Consumer Alerts by the Florida Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division aims to inform residents about emerging scams and deceptive practices. These alerts serve to prevent financial losses or harm caused by fraudulent activities. Anyone who encounters a scam is urged to report the incident to the Florida Attorney General's Office by calling 1(866) 9NO-SCAM or visiting MyFloridaLegal.com.
To stay updated on recent Consumer Alerts and learn more about avoiding scams, individuals can visit MyFloridaLegal.com/ConsumerAlert.