State attorney general warns of scam targeting elderly
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Senior citizens are receiving a warning from the state about a tax return scam targeting people who receive Social Security or disability benefits.
Officials with the Attorney General’s Office said Monday that peoples posing as recruiters from a company called Syam Tax Services have been spotted at churches and senior homes, telling potential victims about a federal program for low-income elderly people.
There’s one problem, however. The program doesn’t exist.
The recruiters will file a tax return with the person’s information, but only return half of the refund to the victim.
"Once the IRS realizes that the tax return is fraudulent, the agency sometimes demands the duped taxpayer repay the entire tax refund amount, plus interest and penalties," Attorney General Greg Abbott said.
State officials say at least 200 people have fallen victim to this scam and more are expected to come forward.