Taking advantage of fears surrounding the Coronavirus!

We were warned by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that scammers would try to profit from the public’s anxiety over COVID-19. They sent warning letters to seven companies allegedly selling unapproved products and making deceptive or scientifically unsupported claims that their products can treat or prevent the Coronavirus. The companies are advertising products like teas, essential oils and colloidal silver as able to treat or prevent Coronavirus and according to the FDA, these companies have no evidence to back up their claims as required by law.

The Seven Companies are:

• Vital Silver
• Aromatherapy Ltd.
• N-ergetics
• GuruNanda, LLC
• Vivify Holistic Clinic
• Herbal Army, LLC
• Jim Bakker Show

In the letters, these companies are required to notify the FTC within two days of the specific actions they have taken to address the agency’s concerns.  The FTC and the FDA will follow up with the companies that fail to make adequate corrections. Additionally both agencies will continue to monitor social media, online marketplaces and incoming complaints to ensure that those companies do not continue to market fraudulent products under a different name or on other websites.
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The agencies recommend that, should you be tempted to buy an unproven product or one with questionable claims, check with your doctor or other health care professional first and stay informed by visiting the CDC’s FAQ page or the FDA to learn about the development and approval of treatments for COVID-19. Finally, if you see a product claiming to cure, treat or prevent Coronavirus, report it to the FTC at www.ftc.gov/complaint. 

MORE SCAMS: CORONAVIRUS Part 2

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is reporting more Coronavirus scams with steps we can take to protect ourselves, our personal information and our money.
Here are a few:

• Undelivered goods: Online sellers claim they have much-needed products like, cleaning, household, health and medical supplies. You place your order and never receive your shipment.
  • What to do: Investigate the seller (if they can be found) by searching online, by company’s name, phone number or email addresses, look for words like complaint, review, scam and always pay by credit card to have a record of the transaction. If you suspect price gouging in your area, contact New York City Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) and go to naag.org for a complete list of State Attorney Generals to file a complaint.
• Fake Charities:  Scammers use major health emergencies like the Coronavirus to take advantage of people’s generosity by using names and logos that sound and look like real charities.
  • What to do: It is advised to engage in some research before giving and always do so safely by credit card to have a record of the transaction. Never use gift cards or wire transfers. There are organizations to assist you in researching reputable charities. They offer reports and ratings about how charitable organizations spend the donations and how they conduct business. Here are a few: BBB Wise Giving Alliance, Charity Navigator, CharityWatch and GuideStar. Also, the IRS’s Tax Exempt Organization Search tells you if your donation is tax deductible and you can find your state charity locator at www.nasconet.org because most states require the charity or its fundraiser to register before asking for donations.
• Fake emails, texts and phishing: Scammers use fake emails and texts to get people to share valuable personal information like Social Security numbers, account numbers or log in ID’S and passwords. They use that information to steal your money, your identity or both. They also use phishing emails to get access to your computer or network and when you click on a link, they can install ransomware or other programs that can lock you out of your data. Scammers often use familiar company names like, World Health Organization (WHO) or pretend to be someone you know and even create logos that resemble legitimate charitable organizations. They have also used real information to infect computers with malware. Malicious websites used the real Johns Hopkins University interactive Dashboard of Coronavirus infections and deaths to spread password stealing malware.
  • What to do:  Protect your computer by keeping your software up to date and by using security software, protect your cell phone by setting software to update automatically, your accounts by using multi-factor authentication and your data by backing it up.
• Robocalls: Scammers are using illegal robocalls to pitch scam Coronavirus treatments.
  • What to do: HANG UP! DON’T PRESS ANY NUMBERS!
• Misinformation and Rumors: Both scammers and well-meaning people share information that is inaccurate and hasn’t been verified.
  • What to do:  Do NOT pass on any messages or pay someone or share your personal information before fact checking by contacting trusted resources. For information related to the Coronavirus, visit What the U.S. Government is Doing and you’ll find links to federal, state and local government agencies.

For more information, go to:

• Coronavirus Scams: What the FTC is Doing at www.ftc.gov/coronavirus
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) www.cdc.gov​​

The IRS is warning taxpayers to avoid unethical tax return preparers, known as “ghost preparers”.

The Internal Revenue Service says that anyone who is paid to prepare or assist in preparing federal tax returns must have a valid 2019 Preparer Tax Identification Number, or PTIN. Paid preparers must sign the return and include their PTIN.

There are many types of tax return preparers, including certified public accountants (CPA’s), enrolled agents, attorneys and others who do not hold professional credentials. However, you expect your chosen preparer to be skilled in tax preparation and be able to accurately file your income tax return. You are also entrusting that person with your most sensitive, personal information about your marital status, your income, your children, your family’s social security numbers and other details of your financial life. 

According to the IRS, most tax return preparers provide outstanding and professional tax service; however, each year, some taxpayers are damaged financially because they chose the wrong tax return preparer. We will share some tips from the IRS for choosing a tax preparer and how to avoid unethical “ghost” return preparers.

Ghost preparers do not sign the tax return. Instead, they print the return and tell the taxpayer to sign and mail it to the IRS and for e-filed returns, they prepare but refuse to digitally sign it as the paid preparer. The IRS further states that dishonest and unscrupulous “ghost” tax return preparers try to make fast money by promising a big refund or charging fees based on a percentage of the anticipated BIG refund. The “ghosts” may also require:

• Payments in cash only and not provide a receipt
• Invent income to fraudulently qualify their clients for tax credits or claim fake deductions to boost the refunds
• Direct refunds into their own bank accounts instead of the taxpayer’s account

Taxpayers are cautioned to review their tax return carefully before signing and ask questions when something is not clear or confusing. And for direct deposit refund, taxpayers should verify that both the routing and bank account number on the completed tax return are correct.

The IRS Directory of Federal Tax Return Preparers with Credentials and Select Qualifications can help identify many preparers by type of credential or qualification. Narrow your search by getting answers to a few important questions up front.

Q. What kind of tax preparer do I need?
A. Anyone can be a paid tax return preparer if they have an IRS Preparer Tax Identification number (PTIN).  The IRS Choosing a Tax Professional page has information about tax preparer credentials and qualifications and get information on the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program.

Q. How to check a tax preparer’s credentials?
A. Check the professional organizations many tax preparers belong to and those who hold an Annual Filing Season Program Record of Completion.

Q. What if I have a complaint about a tax preparer?
A. Tax preparer fraud is among the list of common tax scams and the IRS is committed to investigating paid tax return preparers who act improperly. To report abusive tax preparers to the IRS, use Form 14157, Complaint: Tax Return Preparer. If a taxpayer suspects a tax preparer filed or changed their tax return without their consent, the taxpayer should file Form 14157-A, Tax return Preparer Fraud or Misconduct Affidavit.

FREE TAX RETURN PREPARATION FOR QUALIGYING TAXPAYERS:
The Volunteer income Tax assistance (VITA) program offers free tax help to people who make $56,000 or less, people with disabilities and limited English speaking taxpayers needing assistance in preparing their own tax returns. IRS-certified volunteers provide free basic income tax return preparation with electronic filing to qualified individuals. Additionally, the Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) program offers free tax help for all taxpayers, especially those age 60 and older, specializing in questions about pensions and retirement-related issues unique to seniors. These volunteers who provide tax counseling are usually retired individuals associated with non-profit organizations that receive grants from the IRS.

VITA and TCE sites are generally located at community and neighborhood centers, libraries, schools, shopping malls and other convenient locations around the country. Call 800-906-9887 to locate the nearest VITA or TCE site near you and be mindful that a majority of TCE sites are operated by the AARP Foundation’s Tax Aide program. To locate the nearest AARP TCE Tax-Aide site between January and April, use the AARP Site Locator Tool or call 888-227-7669. At certain sites, taxpayers also have the option to prepare their own basic federal and state tax return for free using web-based tax preparation software with an IRS-certified volunteer to help guide taxpayers through the process.
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Most IRS VITA and TCE sites are open from February through April though some are open through October.