Des Moines, Iowa — The Iowa Department of Revenue is warning Iowans of a potential scam targeting Iowa taxpayers. The scam begins through an automated phone call that displays on caller ID as being from 515-281-3114. That phone number is the Department’s general Taxpayer Services number; however, no automated phone calls can originate from that number.
When answering the call, the taxpayer is informed they are eligible for a refund from the Iowa Department of Revenue. The taxpayer is then asked whether the refund should be deposited into the account the Department has on file or if they’d like to donate the refund to an animal charity.
The Iowa Department of Revenue says they do not make these types of calls. Officials believe this is an attempt to steal bank account or other personal information. By fraudulently displaying the Department’s phone number on caller ID, the scammer is attempting to convince the taxpayer of the legitimacy of the call.
If you receive such a call, the Department of Revenue says you should not provide any information to the caller. You may report the incident to the Iowa Department of Revenue or the Iowa Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division.
Iowa Department of Revenue: https://tax.iowa.gov/identity-theft-and-phishing
Iowa Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division: https://www.iowaattorneygeneral.gov/for-consumers
