Fairfax County Police Department News

Fairfax County, VA — As tax filing season ramps up, so do attempts by scammers looking to steal personal information and hard-earned money. The Fairfax County Police Department is reminding residents to stay alert and recognize the warning signs of common tax-related fraud schemes.

Common Tax Season Scams

1. Threatening Calls or Texts

Tax scammers may impersonate government agencies to intimidate you into paying money immediately. They often make threats of arrest, deportation, or lawsuits if you don’t pay “right now.” These impersonators use scare tactics to force victims into compliance, demanding payment through untraceable methods such as gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency.

Remember, legitimate government agencies never demand immediate payment or threaten arrest without the proper legal processes. If you receive such a call, hang up immediately and report the incident to the IRS or FCPD.

2. “Too Good to Be True” Offers

Scammers love to promise “big paydays” by offering misleading tax advice on social media or through unsolicited calls and emails. They may claim they can help you qualify for a large refund or tax credits, but the advice they provide could be fraudulent. Always remember: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Do not trust anyone offering guaranteed returns or refunds in exchange for paying them a fee or providing personal information.

3. Suspicious Website Links

Scammers frequently use fake websites that appear to be trusted IRS websites to trick you into giving away your personal information. They may send emails or messages with links to websites that are misspelled or have unusual web addresses. These links can lead to phishing sites designed to capture your financial information.

What to Do if You’ve Been Scammed:

If you think you’ve fallen victim to a tax scam, it’s important to act quickly:

• Report it to the IRS: You can report phishing attempts to the IRS by forwarding suspicious emails to phishing@irs.gov.
• Notify Your Bank: If you give out bank account information, contact your bank immediately to protect your account from further fraud.
• File a Police Report: If you suspect you have been a victim of identity theft or have fallen victim to another scam, report it to FCPD’s Financial Crimes Unit through their online portal here.

However, please note Tax fraud cases must be reported and prosecuted by the IRS. 

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