SACRAMENTO – (INT) - Identity theft and tax refund fraud schemes are off to a rampant start this filing season.

The State Franchise Tax Board (FTB) says employers are the most vulnerable target for scammers disguising themselves as human relations officers in order to steal employee data. When criminals are able to successfully steal an employee’s information, they often file a fraudulent tax return in an attempt to claim and redirect a taxpayer’s refund.

About 100 businesses employing 126,000 individuals were hit by scammers last year, according to the FTB. About 80 businesses have already been targeted in the first weeks of this tax season.

Story Date: February 26, 2017