NEWS & INSIGHTS
Florida Department of Revenue Warns Taxpayers of Text Message Refund Scams
The Florida Department of Revenue is warning taxpayers about a text message and email scam falsely claiming recipients are owed a tax refund. The fraudulent messages direct victims to click a link and provide banking information, which can lead to identity theft or financial loss. Taxpayers who receive these messages should avoid clicking any links and verify their status directly with the Department.
The Florida Department of Revenue is warning Floridians about fraudulent text messages and emails claiming that recipients are owed a tax refund.
The messages may appear to come from the Department but are designed to obtain personal or financial information from taxpayers.
The Messages Request Banking Information
The scam messages typically ask recipients to click a link and confirm their banking information to receive the alleged tax refund. The link may lead to a fraudulent website designed to collect sensitive personal or financial information.
The Department of Revenue does not send text messages about tax refunds. Taxpayers should be cautious of unexpected messages requesting banking information or directing them to a website to claim a refund.
How to Verify a Suspicious Message
Do not click links, open attachments, provide banking information, or respond to unexpected messages claiming to be from the Department of Revenue.
If the sender cannot provide specific information about your tax account, contact the Department’s Taxpayer Services directly at (850) 488-6800 or fdortaxpayerservices@floridarevenue.com to determine whether the communication is legitimate.
Taxpayers who receive a suspicious message should also avoid using contact information or links contained in the message. Instead, use contact information obtained directly from the Department’s official website.
After reporting the message, delete it. Taxpayers should also monitor their bank and financial accounts for signs of unauthorized activity.
Where to Report a Florida Tax Refund Scam
Suspected scams may be reported to the Federal Trade Commission, the Florida Attorney General’s Office, or the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
Anyone who provided financial information or believes they were defrauded should contact their financial institution promptly and report the incident to their local sheriff’s office.
Florida State and Local Tax Litigation
Explore our Florida State and Local Tax Litigation. Businesses facing Florida tax disputes should be prepared for the possibility that litigation may continue beyond the trial level. Understanding how tax cases move through Florida’s appellate courts can be critical to protecting favorable rulings and challenging adverse decisions.
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No. The Florida Department of Revenue does not send text messages about tax refunds.
Do not click the link, respond to the message, or provide any personal or banking information, and verify the communication directly with the Department.
Be cautious if an unexpected message asks you to click a link or provide banking information to receive a refund.
No. Do not click links in unexpected messages claiming to be from the Department of Revenue.
The fraudulent messages attempt to collect sensitive personal or financial information, including banking details.
Contact the Department's Taxpayer Services directly at (850) 488-6800 or fdortaxpayerservices@floridarevenue.com
Report it to the Federal Trade Commission, the Florida Attorney General's Office, or the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
Contact your financial institution promptly and report the incident to your local sheriff's office.
Yes, but report the suspicious message first, then delete it without clicking any links or opening attachments.
Avoid interacting with it, report it, monitor your accounts for unauthorized activity, and verify your refund status directly with the Florida Department of Revenue.
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Jeanette Moffa, Esq.
(954) 800-4138
JeanetteMoffa@MoffaTaxLaw.com
Jeanette Moffa is a Partner in the Fort Lauderdale office of Moffa, Sutton, & Donnini. She focuses her practice in Florida state and local tax. Jeanette provides SALT planning and consulting as part of her practice, addressing issues such as nexus and taxability, including exemptions, inclusions, and exclusions of transactions from the tax base. In addition, she handles tax controversy, working with state and local agencies in resolution of assessment and refund cases. She also litigates state and local tax and administrative law issues.