SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - The California Franchise Tax Board (FTB) is warning taxpayers to protect themselves from persistent scams this tax season by reviewing Franchise Tax Board’s online scam avoidance tips and being especially guarded with tax, bank account, credit card and other personal information.
 
“Unfortunately, FTB and other California agencies constantly battle bad actors attempting to steal your money. This time of year, some may try scams by posing as tax agency representatives,” said State Controller and Franchise Tax Board Chair Malia M. Cohen. “If you ever doubt the authenticity of a text, email or phone call claiming to be from Franchise Tax Board, Internal Revenue Service or any other government agency, contact the agency directly to verify whether there’s an issue that requires your attention.”
 
Recently, the Franchise Tax Board received reports of a scam targeting taxpayers through text messages claiming to be from the Franchise Tax Board. The texts include a link to a fraudulent version of certain Franchise Tax Board webpages designed to steal personal and banking information.
 
On its online Scams webpage at www.ftb.ca.gov/help/scams, the Franchise Tax Board offers a way to report suspected scams and provides tips on how to avoid them.

The Franchise Tax Board advises Californians not to reply to suspicious text messages, download attachments or click on links in texts or emails if they are unsure of their authenticity. Visit the Franchise Tax Board’s text messaging page at ftb.ca.gov/help/scams/text-messaging.html to verify when Franchise Tax Board sends texts and what information is included.
 
Scammers often prey on taxpayers by impersonating Internal Revenue Service or Franchise Tax Board employees. They might attempt to scam taxpayers into sending money not owed or providing personal information that could be used to file fraudulent returns and steal refunds.

If a taxpayer receives a letter from Franchise Tax Board or the Internal Revenue Service that appears suspicious, call the Franchise Tax Board at 800-852-5711 or the Internal Revenue Service at 800-829-1040.