(WWJ) If you have past-due tax debts, beware: Authorities are warning the public about an "aggressive scam" involving fake letters that come in the mail.
According to the Michigan Department of Treasury, this latest scam making the rounds is targeting Michiganders through the U.S. Postal Service.
In the scheme, taxpayers receive a letter about an overdue tax bill that requests the person to immediately contact a toll-free number to resolve an outstanding state tax debt. The letter aggressively threatens to seize a taxpayer’s property — including bank accounts, wages, business assets, cars, real estate, refunds and cash — if the debt is not settled.
“We recently received reports about taxpayers receiving these fake letters in the mail,” said Deputy State Treasurer Glenn White, who oversees Treasury’s Revenue Services programs. “Taxpayers have rights. If you have questions about an outstanding state tax debt, please contact us through a verified number so we can talk about options.”
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The letter appears credible to the taxpayer because it uses specific personal facts pulled directly from publicly available information, officials said.
The scammer’s letter attempts to lure the taxpayer into a situation where they could make a payment to a criminal.
Michiganders should note that state Treasury Department corresponds with taxpayers through official letters that use state of Michigan letterhead that embody both the names of the governor and state treasurer. These official letters that are sent through the mail provide several options to resolve an outstanding debt and outline taxpayer rights.
Taxpayers who receive a letter from a scammer or have questions about their state debts should call Treasury’s Collections Service Center at 517-636-5265. A customer service representative can log the scam, verify outstanding state debts and provide flexible payment options.
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