websites falsifying claim for payment in exchange for Employer Identification Numbers are fraudulent schemes
Heads Up! Don't fall for that scam – some shady folk are selling you free government services for a pretty penny! Take Note: We're here to help you steer clear of online tricksters. Scammers are peddling phony IRS websites, charging up to $300 just to file paperwork for an Employer Identification Number (EIN).
Good news is, applying for an EIN on the genuine IRS site is quick and simple. It won't take you more than a few minutes to complete the application. If you're opening up a business, estate, or nonprofit, or if you've got a household employee like a nanny, an EIN is essential for filing your taxes.
Seams Ripped: How the EIN Scam Plays Out
These fraudsters are impersonating the IRS or misleading their ties in multiple ways:
- Plastering IRS seals, logos, formatting, and colors onto their websites and ads
- Using "IRS" in their domain names or on their sites
- Dubbing themselves "EIN Assistant"
- Failing to disclose they aren't connected to the IRS
- Skirting around the fact that the payments are all service fees, seeing as EINs are completely free
This isn't just limited to EIN scams – scammers are exploiting opportunities to dupe consumers while they're trying to apply for government services. The Better Business Bureau has been keeping tabs on fraudulent online services that charge folks for enrolling in the Department of Homeland Security's Trusted Traveler Programs, such as TSA PreCheck and Global Entry. You've got to dish out some money for these programs, true, but you don't have to shell out for the application itself (note that TSA PreCheck has third-party enrollment providers, and fees may vary slightly between $67 and $78).
EIN Application Demystified: The Free Route
If you need an EIN, you can breeze through the application using the IRS's EIN Assistant tool. You'll need to provide info about your business's legal structure and personal details like your name, address, contact information, and tax ID.
Once you complete the application and verify your details, you'll have your EIN in no time, and the whole process takes less than 15 minutes.
Here's How to Keep it Genuine:
- To stay safe, don't fork over a dime for third-party EIN services – simply snag your EIN for free via the official IRS website.
- Verify that your website is secure by checking for HTTPS. Be wary of look-alike websites designed to nab your personal and financial info.
- Stay wary of unsolicited calls or emails claiming to be from the IRS asking for your EIN or other sensitive data. The IRS won't get in touch with you via email, text, or social media seeking personal business information.
- Guard your EIN just as you would your Social Security number – keep it safe and promptly update the IRS on any changes using the proper forms to prevent identity theft and fraudulent EIN use.
With these tips, you'll dodge EIN application scams and safely procure your EIN by using the IRS's free, official tools.
Sentence 1: Beware of scammers who are charging exorbitant fees for Employer Identification Number (EIN) services, claiming to be associated with the IRS, but in reality, these services are not connected to the IRS.
Sentence 2: To avoid such scams, apply for an EIN directly through the IRS's free and official EIN Assistant tool, which allows you to securely and quickly obtain your EIN in a matter of minutes, allowing you to focus on managing your business's finances effectively.
