We wanted to make you aware of a recent alert issued by the Ohio Department of Taxation (ODT) regarding a new text message scam targeting Ohio taxpayers.
The scam involves fraudulent text messages claiming that a tax refund request has been approved, prompting recipients to click a link to “finalize processing.” The link directs users to a fake website that closely mimics the official ODT site, complete with copied logos and branding.
Please note the following key points from the ODT:
* The Department does not contact taxpayers via text about tax matters or refunds.
* Do not click on any links or respond to suspicious messages.
* Do not provide any personal or financial information via text.
* To verify communications or access legitimate tax resources, always visit tax.ohio.gov directly.
If you believe you’ve received one of these messages or suspect you’ve been targeted, it is recommended that you:
* Report the incident to local law enforcement and credit reporting agencies.
* Notify the Ohio Attorney General and the Office of Consumer Affairs at the Ohio Department of Commerce at (866) 278-0003 or via email at: webdfi-oca@com.ohio.gov
You can also view a brief informational video about this scam on the ODT YouTube channel.
As always, if you have any questions or need guidance on verifying tax communications, feel free to contact your HD Growth Partners advisor directly.