NY Warns Taxpayers Of Scammers Posing As Tax Officials

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York state is warning residents about scam artists posing as state and federal treasury officials this tax season.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo says the calls to taxpayers have been reported over the past several weeks. The scammers ask taxpayers to hand over their bank account information, supply their Social Security number or pay tax penalties directly to them.

Officials say the state and federal governments will never call or email a taxpayer without sending a letter first. They say to be suspicious of emails supposedly from the government demanding personal information, and warn residents not to click on emails or links they don't trust.

The state's tax department has created a new webpage on its website to help taxpayers report suspected scams.