{"id":9084,"date":"2026-03-05T11:22:07","date_gmt":"2026-03-05T19:22:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.consumercellular.com\/blog\/?p=9084"},"modified":"2026-03-05T11:22:09","modified_gmt":"2026-03-05T19:22:09","slug":"when-tax-help-isnt-what-it-seems","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.consumercellular.com\/blog\/when-tax-help-isnt-what-it-seems\/","title":{"rendered":"When \u201cTax Help\u201d Isn\u2019t What It Seems"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Consumer Cellular has partnered with Aura to help you keep an eye on credit activity and personal information that can be misused during tax season. If something looks off, Aura also provides step-by-step support to help you respond and sort out next steps. Read on to explore common tax and identity scams or visit the special customer offer from Aura by visiting www.aura.com\/consumercellular<\/a> or calling (877) 338-0352<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

People across the U.S. are receiving unsolicited calls and voicemails from groups using names like \u201cTax Mediation and Resolution Agency\u201d or \u201cTax Resolution Oversight Department.\u201d According to the FTC, these calls often insist there\u2019s an issue with back taxes or that you qualify for a relief program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/a>What these imposter scams look like<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After the first contact, the caller moves quickly into what sounds like an intake process. They ask you to confirm your Social Security number, filing status, or past tax details so they can \u201ccheck eligibility\u201d or \u201clook up your file.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some callers say they act as intermediaries and will communicate with the IRS on your behalf. They often ask for full copies of tax returns, W-2s, or payment information early in the conversation, before giving you any written documentation. Most of this happens over the phone. You don\u2019t receive an IRS notice number or official paperwork even if you ask for it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/a>Why this works<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When a return is flagged for identity verification or wage matching, the formal notice often arrives weeks later and only by mail. During that window, taxpayers have no notice number to confirm whether there\u2019s an actual problem. That leaves you without a clear way to dismiss what you\u2019re being told over these phony calls. What makes scams harder to spot is how much legitimate verification now happens before<\/em> money moves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/a>What to do when the phone rings<\/h2>\n\n\n\n