Scammers posing as Jackson Hewitt employees
ABC 17 News has learned of a new scam targeting consumers starting to file their 2014 taxes.
Scammers are calling from what appears to be the number of a tax service.
Since 9:00 Tuesday morning, more than 20 people have come forward saying someone is posing as the Jackson Hewitt tax firm has called them asking for their personal information in exchange for a gift card.
The gift card is in fact an incentive for Jackson Hewitt customers.
The promotion is for anyone who spends more than $150 with Jackson Hewitt. Whoever is trying to scam customers is offering this same gift card, but they are asking for personal information before they give it to them.
Melissa Vernon is the HR manager at the office in Jefferson City.
She said the office has been buzzing today regarding the scam.
“They asked for birthdays, social security numbers and other personal information,” said Vernon.
Vernon said whoever is trying to scam their customers is masking their phone number as Jackson Hewitt’s.
Detectives said it is possible for this to happen, as there are applications on cell phones that allow a number to appear to be someone else’s.
“It’s just really good to call and verify that it is us calling, but like I said we would never ask for personal information. So, if you’re being asked that it’s not us,” said Vernon.
She said they are targeting several Jackson Hewitt locations throughout Mid-Missouri.
They have 17 locations throughout Mid-Missouri and most of them have been a target for this scam just today.
She said she has not seen this happen in her location in the four years she’s worked there.
“Those people who don’t know, you know, and might have given them information, we really want to make them aware that this is happening and it’s not us.”
Detectives from the Jefferson City Police Department have been looking into this scam since early Tuesday afternoon.
The Attorney General’s Office has also been contacted and are aware of what’s going on.
If anyone gets a call from someone acting as a Jackson Hewitt employee they are asked to contact local authorities.
