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St. Lawrence County warned of tax rebate scam

Posted 10/15/14

St. Lawrence County residents should beware of on ongoing scheme where callers attempt to steal personal information by pretending to be with the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance, …

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St. Lawrence County warned of tax rebate scam

Posted

St. Lawrence County residents should beware of on ongoing scheme where callers attempt to steal personal information by pretending to be with the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance, according to the Office of the New York State Taxpayer Rights Advocate.

Albany officials say they are getting reports of scammers contacting people claiming they are helping them receive a tax rebate.

“Tax scammers will take advantage of any opportunity to solicit information—including social security numbers—from taxpayers,” state Taxpayer Rights Advocate Margaret Neri said. “If you receive a call seeking personal information, hang up and report the call to the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection line: 1-800-771-7755.”

The Taxation and Finance Department does not verify tax credit eligibility by phone. They do it with a letter and include a number to call, Neri said.

For the new Family Tax Relief and Property Tax Freeze Credits, the Tax and Finance Department confirms eligibility using available data. Taxpayers are not being contacted by telephone, Neri said.

The New York State Taxpayer Rights Advocate leads an independent office within the New York State Taxation and Finance Department. The office works with taxpayers who are unable to resolve an issue with the department, or whose New York tax debt creates an undue economic hardship. In addition, the advocate works with the agency to resolve systemic issues, according to Neri.