Charity and Tax Related Scams:

It is that time of year when your taxes are due. Fraudsters will use this time of year to try and get your funds from you. We are here to help you identify these types of scams if you are to come across one.

Red flag 1: The IRS will contact you by mail first, they do not initiate contact through a random phone call.

Red flag 2: A prerecorded voicemail. Again, the IRS doesn’t leave prerecorded, urgent, or threating voicemails.

Red Flag 3: They are asking for credit or debit card numbers over the phone or asking you to pay with gift cards. The IRS does not use gift cards as a method for tax payments.

Red Flag 4: They are threatening you with being arrested, deported, or have your driver’s license revoked. The IRS does not have the authority to do any of these actions.

Charity scams are on the rise as well during tax time because you can write off a certain amount of these donations as deductible expenses.

Be sure to do research into the company you are donating to. Fake charities will often employ tactics such as pressuring you into making payments quickly or asking for donations in gift cards or through wire transfers. (If this is the case, DO NOT donate).

If you have immediate questions or concerns about scams and fraud, or think you may have fallen victim, please contact the OURCU contact center at 800-426-5657 or go to your local branch and talk with a trusted a credit union representative. 

 Stay tuned for the May blog post about investment and wire scams.