Reston company cautions that robocall tax scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated

Reston, Virginia-based Transaction Network Services has issued a warning to residents in the D.C. metro area about the surge in tax-related robocalls this year. According to the company, nearly 400,000 tax-related robocalls have already been received by residents since the beginning of the year.

These robocalls are not your typical automated messages. Some of them are designed to sound like real people, with prerecorded voices engaging in conversation and even pausing to prompt a response from the recipient. The goal is to collect the recipient’s voice and use it to create a more convincing scam call with a real person on the other end.

John Haraburda, a robocall data expert at Transaction Network Services, explained that scammers are using AI technology to record and mimic the voices of their victims. This allows them to carry out more sophisticated and convincing scams, such as ghost tax preparers who promise big refunds in exchange for fees, only to disappear after stealing money or personal information.

To combat these scams, Transaction Network Services has been advocating for robust systems to identify and block spam and scam calls. Service providers have invested billions in improving caller ID systems and implementing federal guidelines to enhance call security. By being aware of potential spam or scam calls, consumers can better protect themselves from falling victim to these schemes.

As tax season continues, residents are urged to be cautious when receiving unexpected calls related to taxes and to report any suspicious activity to the appropriate authorities.