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Criminals become more active during tax season.
Fraudsters are deceiving Russians under the guise of tax officials. In November, they stole more than 2 million rubles from a Moscow pensioner, claiming that she needed to declare her savings. Izvestia found out what schemes the criminals use and how to protect yourself from them.
They noted that a Moscow pensioner had already suffered from the new scheme - 2.3 million rubles were stolen from her. The woman received a call from a fake FTS employee who found out that she was keeping her savings at home and informed her of the need to collect the funds for declaration. On the same day, a courier was sent to the victim, who took away all the savings, giving her a fictitious contract in return.
The pensioner realized that she had been deceived only after she had carefully read the document. She contacted the police, and the officers had already detained the courier, who turned out to be a 22-year-old resident of the Kemerovo Region who had found the criminal "part-time job" on the Internet.
— Before this date, scenarios about the “need to declare income and property,” “introduction of new taxes,” “introduction of new tax payment instruments and reporting forms” are actively used. After December 1 — about arrears and the need to pay a fine, — the expert says.
According to the coordinator of "Moshelovka", such tricks are popular because most Russians are not familiar with the intricacies of tax legislation, so they are easy to intimidate and deceive.
In the new scheme, says lawyer Sean Betrozov, fraudsters inform Russians about alleged changes in legislation that require mandatory declaration of all cash. And in case of refusal, they threaten large fines or even blocking of bank accounts.
— In order to avoid consequences, the criminal offers a simple way out — to hand over the money to an appointed “employee” or transfer it to an “official account” to verify its origin. At the same time, he creates an atmosphere of haste and stress, claiming that there is very little time. Under pressure, a person may agree to part with his funds, believing that he is fulfilling the requirements of the law, — the lawyer explains.
According to him, the effectiveness of such a scheme is also due to people's fear of government agencies. Many Russians, especially older ones, are used to trusting them and are afraid of any legal consequences.
"They are sure that a mistake in tax matters can lead to serious problems - fines, arrest or even prosecution. In addition, not everyone understands the complex aspects of the law, which allows fraudsters to use legal terminology and refer to non-existent laws, creating the illusion of legitimacy," concludes the Izvestia source.
— Another popular scheme is the return of allegedly overpaid taxes. Fraudsters call citizens and inform them that they are entitled to a large refund, but to receive it, they must first pay a commission or transfer a certain amount to a "tax account". As a result, a person, believing in easy profit, loses money, — the lawyer says.
According to him, fraudsters always study the psychology of their victims. They rely on the fear of tax authorities and try to sound convincing - for example, by using real laws or official-sounding terms. They can refer to specific articles of the Tax Code or talk about recent changes in legislation. This makes people believe that they are really talking to a government official.
“In addition, fraudsters use the urgency factor; Russians do not have time to check the information or consult with lawyers,” the lawyer concludes.
— Next, you need to call the tax service yourself on the official numbers and clarify whether any demand was really sent to you. In the event of receiving letters with threats, such as the seizure of accounts or a ban on leaving the country, it is important not to react hastily, but to check the authenticity of the notification through the taxpayer's personal account on the FTS website, — says Sean Betrozov.
In addition, Evgeniya Lazareva reminds, it is important to know that any tax notifications, notices and receipts are displayed in the taxpayer’s personal account or the “My Tax” application, as well as in the personal account on the “Gosuslugi” portal.
If you have already become a victim of fraudsters, it is important to contact the police immediately. Even if this does not help to return the money, it will at least prevent further attempts by fraudsters to deceive other citizens.
— And finally, it is important to know the tax legislation. Understand that there is no mandatory requirement for ordinary citizens to declare cash — this only applies to entrepreneurs or individuals conducting financial activities related to large sums. Tax inspectors are required to present service IDs and act within the framework of official procedures, — the lawyer concludes.
Fraudsters are deceiving Russians under the guise of tax officials. In November, they stole more than 2 million rubles from a Moscow pensioner, claiming that she needed to declare her savings. Izvestia found out what schemes the criminals use and how to protect yourself from them.
Under the guise of tax
Fraudsters began to deceive Russians in the fall, during the tax payment period. They pose as tax officials, offer to "declare" savings, and end up stealing them, the press service of the capital's prosecutor's office warned.They noted that a Moscow pensioner had already suffered from the new scheme - 2.3 million rubles were stolen from her. The woman received a call from a fake FTS employee who found out that she was keeping her savings at home and informed her of the need to collect the funds for declaration. On the same day, a courier was sent to the victim, who took away all the savings, giving her a fictitious contract in return.
The pensioner realized that she had been deceived only after she had carefully read the document. She contacted the police, and the officers had already detained the courier, who turned out to be a 22-year-old resident of the Kemerovo Region who had found the criminal "part-time job" on the Internet.
A proven scheme
"Legends" that use the topic of taxes are some of the most well-practiced by fraudsters, Evgeniya Lazareva, head of the "People's Front" project "For the Rights of Borrowers" and coordinator of the "Moshelovka" platform, told Izvestia. Signals are received by specialists regularly, but the traditional peak occurs at the end of autumn. This is due to the fact that the acceptance of tax payments in the country ends on December 1.— Before this date, scenarios about the “need to declare income and property,” “introduction of new taxes,” “introduction of new tax payment instruments and reporting forms” are actively used. After December 1 — about arrears and the need to pay a fine, — the expert says.
According to the coordinator of "Moshelovka", such tricks are popular because most Russians are not familiar with the intricacies of tax legislation, so they are easy to intimidate and deceive.
In the new scheme, says lawyer Sean Betrozov, fraudsters inform Russians about alleged changes in legislation that require mandatory declaration of all cash. And in case of refusal, they threaten large fines or even blocking of bank accounts.
— In order to avoid consequences, the criminal offers a simple way out — to hand over the money to an appointed “employee” or transfer it to an “official account” to verify its origin. At the same time, he creates an atmosphere of haste and stress, claiming that there is very little time. Under pressure, a person may agree to part with his funds, believing that he is fulfilling the requirements of the law, — the lawyer explains.
According to him, the effectiveness of such a scheme is also due to people's fear of government agencies. Many Russians, especially older ones, are used to trusting them and are afraid of any legal consequences.
"They are sure that a mistake in tax matters can lead to serious problems - fines, arrest or even prosecution. In addition, not everyone understands the complex aspects of the law, which allows fraudsters to use legal terminology and refer to non-existent laws, creating the illusion of legitimacy," concludes the Izvestia source.
Other scenarios
As Sean Betrozov explains, fraudsters have a variety of tax-related schemes in their arsenal. For example, this year the number of cases with fake notifications has increased significantly. People receive letters that look like official notifications from the tax service, demanding that they urgently pay off their alleged debt. Often, such “debts” are accompanied by threats to freeze bank accounts or ban travel abroad.— Another popular scheme is the return of allegedly overpaid taxes. Fraudsters call citizens and inform them that they are entitled to a large refund, but to receive it, they must first pay a commission or transfer a certain amount to a "tax account". As a result, a person, believing in easy profit, loses money, — the lawyer says.
According to him, fraudsters always study the psychology of their victims. They rely on the fear of tax authorities and try to sound convincing - for example, by using real laws or official-sounding terms. They can refer to specific articles of the Tax Code or talk about recent changes in legislation. This makes people believe that they are really talking to a government official.
“In addition, fraudsters use the urgency factor; Russians do not have time to check the information or consult with lawyers,” the lawyer concludes.
Methods of protection
Modern scammers are becoming more and more inventive, but their schemes can be recognized if you are attentive and remain calm. In case of a suspicious call, it is better to hang up and check the phone number - it should match the official contacts, which can be found on the agency's website.— Next, you need to call the tax service yourself on the official numbers and clarify whether any demand was really sent to you. In the event of receiving letters with threats, such as the seizure of accounts or a ban on leaving the country, it is important not to react hastily, but to check the authenticity of the notification through the taxpayer's personal account on the FTS website, — says Sean Betrozov.
In addition, Evgeniya Lazareva reminds, it is important to know that any tax notifications, notices and receipts are displayed in the taxpayer’s personal account or the “My Tax” application, as well as in the personal account on the “Gosuslugi” portal.
If you have already become a victim of fraudsters, it is important to contact the police immediately. Even if this does not help to return the money, it will at least prevent further attempts by fraudsters to deceive other citizens.
— And finally, it is important to know the tax legislation. Understand that there is no mandatory requirement for ordinary citizens to declare cash — this only applies to entrepreneurs or individuals conducting financial activities related to large sums. Tax inspectors are required to present service IDs and act within the framework of official procedures, — the lawyer concludes.
