IRS & DHS warn of identity theft scam targeting immigrants

The Community Relations Office of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in NY, together with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) are warning undocumented immigrants of a scam that they might fall victim to. The scammers seek to get personal information from their victims along with their social security number or Taxpayer Identification Number, all of which can then be used to steal funds from the victims.

The scam is simple: it asks the intended victim to reconfirm that s/he is a non-immigrant, tells them that as such they are exempted from certain taxes, but warns them that if they do not reconfirm their status – via an official-looking form that requests all sorts of personal information – they might be subject to backup withholding taxes, etc… In other words, if you don’t act on this request promptly, you do so at your own peril.

The IRS has provided a copy of the scam letter and form that is being circulated. You can click on it here.

What should you do if you get such a notice? Please contact HAUP right away.