For Immediate Release: Thursday, July 6, 2023

Contact: Office of Communications, Communications@MyFloridaCFO.com, 850.413.2842

**CONSUMER ALERT**

CFO Jimmy Patronis: Watch Out for Tax Refund Scam as Deadline Approaches

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis is warning all Floridians to beware of a Tax Refund Scam that is being reported by the IRS. The scam comes in the form of fraudsters gaining access to the victim personal information, by sending them a letter claiming that they are owed a rebate. The letter claims to be from the IRS and comes as the last chance to file a claim on your 2019 tax returns ends on July 17, 2023.

CFO Jimmy Patronis said, “The last chance to claim a refund from the IRS on your 2019 tax returns is fast approaching, and fraudsters are using this deadline to try and dupe you into a scam. If you ever receive a letter from the IRS, make sure to check and double check its validity before you potentially give over your sensitive information to a scammer. It is essential that you be aware of the signs of fraud, and do not let yourself or your loved ones be defrauded by these bad actors. If you or someone you know is suspicious of fraudulent activity, report it immediately at FraudFreeFlorida.com.”

Four Signs of a Scam from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

• Scammers often pretend to be from an organization that you know. They commonly pose as if they are contacting you on behalf of the Government, and claim to be from entities like the IRS, the Social Security Administration, or Medicare.
• Scammers will frequently claim that there is a problem, or that you are owed some sort of a prize.
• Scammers will often pressure you to act immediately.
• Scammers will tell you to pay in a specific way, through things like cryptocurrency, by wiring money, through a company like MoneyGram or Western Union, or by putting money on a gift card and then giving them the number on the back.

If you or someone you know is suspicious of fraudulent activity, please report it immediately at FraudFreeFlorida.com.

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About CFO Jimmy Patronis

Chief Financial Officer and State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis is a statewide elected official and a member of Florida’s Cabinet who oversees the Department of Financial Services. CFO Patronis works each day to fight insurance fraud, support Florida’s firefighters, and ensure the state’s finances are stable to support economic growth in the state. Follow the activities of the Department on Facebook (FLDFS) and Twitter (@FLDFS).