SESLOC members have reported receiving fraudulent text messages claiming to be from the State of California Franchise Tax Board. The messages state that the receiver is in jeopardy of forfeiting a tax refund payment if they do not submit documentation to a fraudulent website by a specific timeline. The texts can come from any number, not just those registered in Sacramento County.
These messages are fake. Please do not reply and do not click any links.
The attackers are attempting to get you to reveal personal identifiable information, which may then be used to commit financial fraud or identity theft. Unfortunately, these incidents are becoming more common.
The California Franchise Tax Board says: “Do not reply to text messages, download attachments, or click on any links in texts or emails if you’re not sure they’re genuine. View our Text messaging page to verify when FTB texts and what information we send.”
SESLOC and the California Franchise Tax Board will never call, email or text you to request confidential or personal information. If you feel a phone call or text message is suspicious, hang up immediately and do not answer again. Do not respond to suspicious text or emails.
If you have received a suspicious message, please report the incident to the California Franchise Tax Board at 800-852-5711, or by using their Fraud Referral Report. Notifying the board helps them keep tabs on suspicious activity and can help shut down scams as they pop up.
You may also:
- Take a screenshot of a text message, email message or webpage and send to us via Secure Message in Online Banking or via Live Chat on sesloc.org. To access our website, ALWAYS type https://sesloc.org in your internet browser.
- Call SESLOC at (805) 543-1816 by dialing the number on your keypad to verify if a message is valid. Do not click on a past incoming call from your call log history.
- Report a suspicious phone call, email, text or pop-up ad to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ReportFraud.ftc.gov
- Be prepared. See our tips for recognizing and avoiding Phishing scams.
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