Beware of scammers

As the income tax filing season approaches, the Minnesota Department of Revenue warns you to beware of scams attempting to steal your personal information.

What do I need to know?

Individuals or organizations may falsely represent themselves as being from the department. Use caution and never provide personal information unless you are sure the situation is legitimate.

When the Minnesota Department of Revenue contacts you by phone, mail, or email, they will never:

Demand immediate payment without first mailing a letter.

Demand that you pay taxes and not allow you to question or appeal the amount you owe.

Require that you pay your taxes a certain way, such as with a prepaid debit card.

Threaten to contact police or law enforcement agencies to arrest you for not paying.

What if I receive a suspicious phone call or letter?

If you are concerned about a possibly fraudulent contact from someone claiming to be from the department, call us at 651-296-3781 or 1-800-652-9094 (toll-free). We can determine if the contact you received was legitimate.

What if I receive a suspicious email?

We will never ask you to provide, update, or verify personal information if you did not previously email us. DO NOT respond to such emails. Contact the Minnesota Department of Revenue with questions or concerns.

Phishing (as in “fishing for information” and “hooking” victims) is a scam involving emails sent to trick you into revealing personal and financial information. When you send scammers this information, they can use it to steal your identity.