With the tax time deadline approaching, many unscrupulous individuals are seizing the opportunity to take advantage of elderly people, who often times do not have to file taxes because of their low income thresholds, making them an ideal scamming target. These scammers make elderly persons believe the quality for certain tax credits or reductions. Then, scammer collect personal information and more often gain financial access to funds, depleting the elderly of their accessible assets.
Aging.com has provided a list of red flags that the elderly should watch out for, and family members are advised to be on the lookout for elderly family members mentioning that they have been contacted by the following:
• For-profit tax companies they don’t recognize.
• Anyone offering to file for you without asking for the proper documentation.
• Anyone offering to file for expired programs.
• Internet offers from unknown companies that ask you to call a number and then request personal information.
Remember, the IRS will only contact you by mail and they will not call to solicit you to provide financial information or offer suggestions on how to be eligible for tax credits.
If you or a loved one have been contacted by any individual or entity who attempts to obtain your personal information by stating that you owe taxes, contact the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to discuss your situation.
If someone contacts you or a loved one in a manner that seems fraudulent, contact the Federal Trade Commission at FTC.gov to file a complaint, placing IRS scam at the top.
Protecting yourself and those you love at tax time is one way to ensure your hard earned assets are preserved. Call JLCarey & Associates At 615-567-3471 to learn more about how estate planning and elder law can also protect you and those you love.