Steer Away from Summertime Scammers

June 3, 2021

As traveling and summer vacations increase, the Arizona Department of Revenue (ADOR) reminds taxpayers that fraudsters do not take a summer break when it comes to identity theft. Please be aware of tactics such as card-skimming devices, hacking email accounts, phishing schemes, or using false pretenses.

ADOR has prepared the following checklist to assist taxpayers:

Using public Wi-Fi can make you vulnerable and should be used with caution.
Collect mail every day. Place a hold on your mail if you go on vacation.
Monitor your bill cycles and examine unfamiliar debit and credit card charges.
Posting your boarding pass on social media opens the door to also sharing the barcode, which discloses your confidential information.
Protect your wallet and place a freeze on your accounts immediately if you suspect fraudulent activity.
Lock up your identification cards, credit cards, and personal items when leaving them behind

Taxpayers should be aware that the Department of Revenue will never:

Call or text about taxes owed without first having sent an official notice.
Demand immediate payment without providing you the opportunity to question or appeal the stated amount owed.
Require you to use a specific payment method to pay your taxes, such as a prepaid debit card.
Threaten to bring in local police or other law-enforcement groups to have you arrested for not paying.

If a person gets a phone call from the ADOR requesting additional information, you can contact the department’s Customer Care Center at (602) 255-3381 or toll-free at 800-352-4090, to confirm the call was in fact from an ADOR official.

Arizonans can also contact the Department of Revenue’s Identity Theft Call Center at (602) 716-6300 or toll-free at 800-352-4090, or online at https://azdor.gov/individual-income-tax-information/identity-theft.

Thursday, June 3, 2021