Pa. Department of Revenue warns of scam targeting business owners | Crime and Courts

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The Pennsylvania Department of Income is warning business homeowners in the point out that rip-off artists are impersonating it and sending fraudulent letters in the mail.

The letters direct business entrepreneurs to change in excess of their accounting data with the intention of obtaining delicate financial facts, according to the department. The letter tells the business owner that they are getting investigated for an “alleged violation of delinquent sales tax liability” and threatens them by stating penalties will be imposed on their accounts.

The letter concludes with contact data for a “resolution officer” and urges the business operator to deliver accounting records geared up by a certified experienced, these kinds of as an legal professional or CPA.

“This is a prime case in point of fraudsters impersonating a authorities agency as they attempt to convince hardworking Pennsylvanians to switch about delicate facts about their organizations,” Revenue Secretary Dan Hassell explained. “We are urging Pennsylvania business entrepreneurs to be on high alert if they get a suspicious observe that consists of the Division of Revenue name and brand. If you have any question at all about the legitimacy of a observe from the section, remember to use the make contact with information detailed on our site, income.pa.gov. This is the greatest way to be certain you are talking with a authentic team member at the Office of Revenue.”

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The division mentioned that in offering information and facts, business proprietors could open by themselves up to scammers working with the fiscal info to make unauthorized transactions, ask for fraudulent tax refunds or even use for financial loans beneath the title of the business.

The letters have the Pennsylvania Section of Income logo, but they also have suspicious or inaccurate details, in accordance to the office. The see does not offer a return tackle, which the section will generally have, and it addresses the receiver only as “Dear Business Owner.” The office claimed it will commonly have the business operator or business title in its letters.

The letter also lists the “Pennsylvania Division of Earnings Tax Investigation & Enforcement Unit” and “Pennsylvania Point out Revenue and Hard cash Disbursement Device,” but the device names are not suitable, even however the division does conduct legal tax investigations. The letter also promises the business is not registered, but the division claimed most firms probable currently registered in obtaining a profits tax license.

The office suggested business homeowners examine the language of the letter diligently and determine vague, blatant factual problems and surprising, rapid requires. Business house owners with inquiries can post them on the internet to the section at https://income-pa.custhelp.com, which the department promotes as safe.

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