Taxpayers warned of fraudulent letter scam

The Delaware Division of Revenue is warning the public of a new tax scam that’s happening in the First State.

Citizens may receive a letter from the “Tax Processing Unit” that threatens property seizure and wage garnishment unless they call a toll-free number to “avoid enforcement.”

“These scam mailings are increasingly targeting individuals with fake notices that appear to be from legitimate Delaware tax authorities,” said Kathy Revel, division director. The notices threaten the seizure of the taxpayer’s property if the recipient fails to make immediate payment.

The scammers are using pressure tactics and fear to motivate recipients into taking immediate action. They are also accessing public records in order to include taxpayer-specific information on the notices to make them appear legitimate.

The Division of Revenue is offering the following tips to protect recipients against these types of scams:

Do not rush. Scammers often create a sense of urgency to pressure people into providing personal information or making payments quickly. Take time to review any unexpected notices carefully. 

Verify the source. If someone receives a notice from an unfamiliar or suspicious entity, it’s important to verify its legitimacy before taking any action. Do not call the phone number provided in the suspicious notice. Contact the Division of Revenue directly using the contact information available on the official website at revenue.delaware.gov or log into a portal account at tax.delaware.gov and verify genuine tax notices have been issued by the Delaware Division of Revenue.

Look for red flags. Be cautious of notices that lack specific details about a specific tax account or those that don’t provide a return mail address. Legitimate notices will provide detailed account information and valid contact options.

Protect personal information. Never share personal or financial information in response to unsolicited requests.

Always confirm people are legitimate representatives of the Division of Revenue.

Taxpayers who think they may have received such a letter or have questions should call the Division of Revenue at 302-577-8200, and select option 3. Taxpayers should also file a consumer complaint with the Delaware Department of Justice Consumer Protection Unit. For more information, go to attorneygeneral.delaware.gov/fraud/cpu. For the Consumer Complaint Form, go to attorneygeneral.delaware.gov/fraud/cmu/complaint.