Tax-refund scam is targeting seniors

Another scam is up and running, this time involving fraudulent tax returns, according to the Internal Revenue Service. With promises of "free money," scammers are charging a fee to help Social Security recipients file for refunds or rebates based on government withholdings from benefits checks. The scam targets people who normally don't need to file a return. "The problem is that this kind of withholding never took place," IRS spokeswoman Carrie Resch said. "The victim is out the fee the scammer charged for the return preparation, and they've also signed a false tax return claiming a refund that is not legitimate." Fliers promoting the scam have shown up in churches and senior centers across the country.