By Robert S. Schriebman

2025

INTRODUCTION

On March 24, 2025, the FTB issued its very first warning to the public on scams designed to steal both your identity and state income tax refund.  In its opening words the FTB warned the public not to reply to text messages, download attachments, or click on any links in texts or emails if you are not sure they are genuine.  Scammers sometimes pretend to be government officials to get you to send them money or access your information

This article will discuss the types of scams including email, phone, and text messaging.

TYPES OF SCAMS

You should be suspicious of anyone that contacts you and asks for passwords, credit cards, debit cards, and bank accounts, whether personal or business.  These scammers may also attempt to threaten you by contacting law enforcement to have you arrested if your tax debt is not immediately paid.  Another type of scam claims there is a problem with your FTB account.

EMAIL

The FTB warns that if you receive a suspicious email claiming to be from the FTB, and requesting personal information, it is most likely a phishing scam.  Phishing emails look legitimate because scammers often use real logos and phone numbers.  The FTB advises that you delete the email from both your inbox and trash folder.

Commonly requested phishing email scams may ask you for the following information:

• Social security number
• Username
• Password
• Credit card or bank account numbers
• Wage withholding
• Employee payroll

The phishing email may also direct you to a fake website.  Once you enter your personal information it can be used to steal your identity.

PHONE

Phone scams are the most common method used to scam taxpayers.  The caller claims to be associated with the FTB.  The caller may tell you that you owe taxes and demand immediate payment through a prepaid card.  Scammers have been known to stay on the phone with the target while the target purchases the prepaid card.  There are callers who will threaten law enforcement action to have you arrested, suspend your driver’s license or even have you deported.

TEXT MESSAGING

If you receive a suspicious or unsolicited text message claiming to be from the FTB, do not respond or click on any links.  Most likely the text message is a phishing scam.  The typical phishing text may ask for the following:

• Usernames
• Passwords
• Payment
• Credit and debit card numbers
• Banking information
• PINs
• Social Security number.

The FTB does not send text messages asking for either personal or financial information or account numbers.

CONCLUSION

The FTB will rarely call you as an initial contact.  The usual practice is to send you a letter with the FTB’s official logo.  It is a mistake to underestimate these scammers.  They are smart and take great pains to appear to be official.

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Robert Schriebman has a successful practice in the Rolling Hills Estates area of Los Angeles County serving clients throughout California and the United States. He has successfully dedicated more than 50 years to helping individual taxpayers, business owners, CPAs, Enrolled Agents, and tax attorneys navigate the complicated tax systems of the federal and state governments.  Mr. Schriebman is in private practice.  He is not affiliated in any way with the EDD, and he is not employed by the EDD or any other agency of the State of California.

Robert Schriebman has written the only 2 books ever published dealing with how California Employment Development Department (EDD) operates. See “California Tax Collection Practice and Procedures” and “California Taxation Practice and Procedure,” both published by Commerce Clearing House.

Robert Schriebman has written over 20 books including the major manual used nationally by practitioners a6502nd the IRS, “IRS Tax Collection Procedures – A Manual for Practitioners” published by Commerce Clearing House.

Robert Schriebman has written over 20 books including the major manual used nationally by practitioners and the IRS, “IRS Tax Collection Procedures – A Manual for Practitioners” published by Commerce Clearing House in addition to the only 2 books ever published dealing with how California Employment Development Department (EDD) operates. See “California Tax Collection Practice and Procedures” and “California Taxation Practice and Procedure,” both published by Commerce Clearing House.

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