Fraudulent tax collection letter circulating in Utah, officials say

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — A fraudulent letter requesting taxes to be paid is circulating throughout Utah, according to the Utah State Tax Commission.

The commission is warning taxpayers about the letter, which fraudulently claims that the recipient owes unpaid state taxes. The letter closely resembles an official government notice, officials said.

The letter reportedly also threatens legal action, liens, or asset seizure if the balance is not paid immediately. Scammers often pressure their victims this way, deceiving them into making payments without verifying the claims first, officials said.

Scammers reportedly ramp up their activity around tax season, exploiting taxpayers’ concerns about penalties and legal action.

“The Utah State Tax Commission urges all Utahns to remain cautious and contact the agency with any concerns regarding tax-related correspondence,” a press release from the commission states.

See a photo of a fraudulent tax collection letter below:

The state tax commission has outlined the following ways to protect yourself from the scam:

• Verify before paying – If you receive a suspicious tax notice, contact the Utah State Tax Commission directly at 801-297-2200 to confirm its authenticity.
• Do not respond to the letter – Avoid calling any phone numbers or visiting any websites listed in the fraudulent notice.
• Report the scam – If you receive a fraudulent tax notice, report it to the Utah State Tax Commission here.

For more information, visit the Utah State Tax Commission website here.