The growth of the Internet and email has increased convenience for consumers. Unfortunately, along with that growth has come an expanding outreach by scam artists looking to take your money or steal your identity.

Attorney General Bill Schuette recently issued a consumer alert warning residents that thieves are increasingly targeting consumers during tax season. It can already be a frustrating and stressful time without the added worry about having your money or personal information stolen.

I encourage all southwest Michigan families to be mindful of common IRS phone and email scams, even if you have already filled out your taxes.

The most important information to remember: The IRS will never contact you through email or with a phone call. Anyone contacting you claiming to be from the IRS and asking for personal information is a fraud.

The attorney general’s consumer alert, “IRS Scams & Tax-Related I.D. Theft,” includes tips on how to avoid being taken advantage of this season and a list of the common IRS phone and email scams. The alert and tips can be viewed at www.michigan.gov/ag under the Consumer Protection tab.

Scam artists are becoming more bold and clever in disguising their fraudulent activity, and are increasingly targeting vulnerable populations, like our seniors.

I urge all Southwest Michigan families to look out for scams and report them immediately.

If an email purports to be from the IRS, consumers should forward it to phishing@irs.gov, the address established by the IRS to receive, track and shut down these scams. If you believe you are a victim of tax-related identity theft, contact the IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit at 1-800-908-4490 and report the fraud.

Identity theft wreaks havoc on millions of lives every year — impacting victims with legal fees and hours of their time spent trying to clear their name. To help protect consumers, I was proud that my legislation was signed in 2013 to require all three major credit reporting agencies to allow Michigan residents to place a security freeze on their credit information. Since victims of this crime are not limited to adults, parents are also able to protect their children.

Any resident who believes they have been a victim of a scam or identity theft and has experienced any trouble contacting the IRS or the attorney general’s office are welcome to contact my office by phone at (517) 373-6960 or by email at: senjproos@senate.michigan.gov.

 

Sen. John Proos, R-St. Joseph, represents Southwest Michigan.