While taxpayers are preparing for the 2018 tax filing season, the Arizona Department of Revenue reminds Arizonans to beware of scam artists.
The department advises citizens to take precautions at work and home for different schemes to steal private information online or by telephone.
The scamming of W-2 information continues to reappear during tax season, the department said. The scam involves a phishing email sent to a company's human resources office by a scammer posing as an executive.
The email asks for private payroll information to be emailed immediately. Staff should never respond and connect with the person named in the email to confirm the request.
Taxpayers should know the department will never:
- Send unsolicited email, text messages or social media to discuss taxes.
- Call demanding immediate payment before an official notice has been mailed or no opportunity to question or appeal the amount owed.
- Require specific payment method, such as a prepaid debit card.
- Threaten arrest by law enforcement for failure to pay.
Online, taxpayers should use E-filing is more secure and it is important to fill out the forms accurately and properly.Β
Arizonans can check with the Customer Care Center at (602) 255-3381 to confirm any phone calls from the department requesting additional information.
