Broadcaster Press 9 April 10, 2018 www.broadcasteronline.com AARP South Dakota Helps Taxpayers Avoid IRS Imposter And Related Scams Sioux Falls, SD – As tax time approach- Service work year round at trying to swindle Americans, and they’re particularly es, AARP’s Fraud Watch Network and relentless in April,” said Erik Gaikowski, AARP South Dakota are joining in efforts AARP South Dakota State Director. “While to help South Dakota taxpayers avoid there’s no simple solution, you can outcriminal imposters who aim to defraud smart cons: file your taxes early, before them. The problem is serious, with the Federal Trade Commission reporting that they beat you to it, shred financial documents you no longer need and beware of in 2017 tax fraud was the second most high pressure tactics. The IRS will not call common type of identity theft reported. and threaten arrest for taxes owed, and Over 82,000 reports were made nationthey certainly won’t ask for a gift card as wide last year with 3,278 consumer complaints by South Dakotans. But a new poll a form of payment, but imposters will.” In its new poll, AARP found that many from AARP reveals that people may have consumers are woefully at risk for the ona false sense of security with sixty-two percent of people reporting they’re either slaught of Internal Revenue Service (IRS) scammers. Key findings include: extremely confident or very confident in • IRS scammers keep calling until they their ability to detect fraud. land victims, with one in four respondAARP SD is participating in the organients (25 percent) receiving a phony call zation’s robust antifraud efforts, which from someone impersonating an IRS currently include a free fraud helpline agent over the last year. (877-908-3360). New information and re• Nearly four out of five respondents sources include training webinars, a “Tax (79 percent) haven’t ordered a free ID Theft” tip sheet, and a new podcast series, called “The Perfect Scam.” The se- copy of their credit report in the past 12 months. ries debuts today and features tips from • The IRS does not email or text Frank Abagnale, whose personal story for your information, but more than a inspired the Spielberg film, “Catch Me if quarter of respondents (26 percent) You Can.” Abagnale now advises the FBI incorrectly believe or are uncertain on how to outsmart con artists. Additionally, AARP South Dakota will be hosting a series of free cybersecurity seminars and shredding events across the state this month as part of their Operation: Stop Scams initiative. Events begin in Sioux Falls Thursday, April 12 with stops in Rapid City (April 23), Spearfish 800 S. 3rd St., Beresford, SD (April 24), Pierre (April 25), Aberdeen (April 26) •First time o?ered for sale and Watertown (April •Distinguished ranch style home •2.92 acres 27). Anyone of any age is JENSEN INSURANCE •2,312 sq. ft. home invited to participate in •3 bedrooms & REAL ESTATE these free events, though •2 bath with skylights “SINCE 1944” registration is sometimes •Main floor laundry required for luncheons. •Large eat-in kitchen •Screened in porch Visit aarp.org/SD to learn •Central vacuum system more about events near •2 car attached garage you. •14’x24’ detached garage Brad Antonson Zach Jensen “We see repeatedly that •Landscaped 605-957-5111 605-957-8061 scammers who imperson•Mature trees www.jensenagencyonline.com ate the Internal Revenue Home for Sale 307 N. 16th St., Beresford, SD 57004 • O?ce: 605-763-2675 about whether the IRS can text or email requests for personal or financial information. Criminals impersonating the IRS often make aggressive threats – of arrest, court action, confiscation of property, or even deportation unless immediate payment is made. AARP’s campaign advises consumers that legitimate IRS representatives do not: • call you to demand immediate payment. • call you about taxes owed without first having contacted you by mail. • ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone or require you to use a specific payment method for your taxes, such as a gift card or prepaid debit card. • threaten to bring in local police or other law-enforcement groups to have you arrested for not paying. For more information about the IRS scam and other tax-related fraud, visit www.aarp.org/FraudWatchNetwork. Consumers who think that they are being targeted by a scammer may call the AARP Fraud Helpline at 877-908-3360 and speak with a volunteer trained in fraud counseling. “The Perfect Scam” podcast launches today and will be available on AARP’s website and on popular podcasting platforms. BEACOM SCHOOL OF BUSINESS PRESENTS the ARTHUR A. VOLK SYMPOSIUM Dan Roam Solving Financial and Technological Problems with Simple Pictures Monday | April 16, 2018 | 6 pm Muenster University Center | Ballroom 414 E. Clark Street, Vermillion, SD Dan and his whiteboard have appeared on CNN, MSNBC, ABC, CBS, FOX, and NPR. Free and open to the public. If you are a person with a disability and need a special accommodation to fully participate, please contact Disability Services 48 hours before the event at 605-677-6389.