The UNL Refund Department scam involves fraudsters leaving voicemails claiming businesses can receive tax refunds or other payments. This guide provides an overview of the scam, how it works, what to do if you fall victim, and answers to frequently asked questions.
Scam Overview
The UNL Refund Department scam involves receiving a voicemail stating your business qualifies for a refund related to employees kept on payroll in 2020-2021. The message claims to be from a department or agency called the “UNL Refund Department” and provides a callback number to “update you with the total refund.”
However, the UNL Refund Department does not appear to be a real government body. The phone numbers used for the scam include:
- 855-421-9722
- 866-224-8755
- 855-409-8755
- 989-244-9143
This is a common tax refund scam where fraudsters impersonate government agencies to dupe businesses into providing personal information and payments. The scam voicemails are pre-recorded with vague claims about refund eligibility to get recipients to call back.
When victims call the number, the scammers will likely ask for sensitive data like Social Security numbers, bank account details, or request an upfront “processing fee.” They may falsely claim these are needed before releasing the non-existent refunds.
The UNL Refund Department scam has targeted small businesses across America, especially during tax season. Stay vigilant and protect yourself from this and similar government imposter scams.
How the UNL Refund Department Scam Works
The fraudsters behind the UNL Refund Department scam use sophisticated techniques to try deceiving victims. Here is how the scam typically operates:
1. Scammers Obtain Business Contact Lists
The scammers likely purchased or compiled lead lists with names, phone numbers, and addresses of small business owners or accounting professionals. This contact data enables them to target victims at scale.
2. Pre-Recorded Voicemail Blast
Using robocalling technology, the fraudsters blast out thousands of voicemail messages to the contact list. The pre-recorded voicemail uses the fake agency name “UNL Refund Department” and claims the business is owed refunds.
3. Callbacks Routed to Scam Call Center
The voicemail provides a toll-free number to call back. This routes to a scam call center where operators try convincing victims the refund is real.
4. Scammers Request Personal Information and Payments
Once a victim is on the phone, the scammers invent reasons why personal data like Social Security numbers or upfront fees are required before releasing the non-existent refunds.
5. Fraudsters Steal Identities and Money
With the sensitive information collected, the scammers may steal identities, commit tax fraud, empty bank accounts, and apply for loans or credit cards.
The UNL Refund Department scammers are organized, tech-savvy, and ruthless. Use caution with any unexpected calls about refunds or payments to protect yourself.
What to Do If You Fall Victim to the UNL Refund Department Scam
If you received a voicemail from the fake UNL Refund Department and divulged personal or financial information, take these steps:
- Contact banks and credit card companies: Alert them that your information was compromised and accounts may be compromised. Consider placing holds, canceling cards, or changing account numbers.
- Check credit reports: Order credit reports from Equifax, Experian and TransUnion to check for fraudulent new accounts. Consider freezing credit to block scammers.
- Change account passwords: Update passwords and security questions for email, banking, taxes, and other accounts that may be vulnerable.
- Monitor mail and accounts: Watch for any suspicious letters, bills, or account activity indicating identity theft or fraud.
- File police reports: File reports with local police and the FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center at ic3.gov.
- Report to government agencies: Alert the IRS, FTC, SSA, and other agencies to report scam calls, fraud, and identity theft.
- Contact an attorney: Consider consulting an attorney if you suffered significant losses for guidance on legal options.
- Learn from the experience: Research government imposter scams to understand common techniques so you can stay vigilant for future attempts. Consider signing up for the Do Not Call registry to reduce unwanted calls.
Frequently Asked Questions About the UNL Refund Department Scam
Here are answers to some common questions about the UNL Refund Department refund scam:
Is the UNL Refund Department a real government agency?
No, the UNL Refund Department does not appear to be a real federal or state agency. Scammers invent fake agency names like this to appear legitimate.
What government agencies issue tax refunds?
The IRS and state tax agencies issue legitimate tax refunds. The UNL Refund Department is not affiliated with any government tax authority.
How do scammers get my business’s contact information?
Scammers purchase lead lists online, steal data from breaches, harvest public business directory info, or use automated tools to collect contact info from websites and social media.
What are signs of a bogus refund scam call?
Warning signs include: calls out of the blue about refunds you weren’t expecting, high-pressure tactics insisting you act fast, requests for sensitive info upfront, spoofed caller IDs, and contact from fake agencies.
Should I call back the number left on the voicemail?
No, you should not call back numbers left on suspicious voicemails. The numbers go to scam call centers. Research the agency and number online instead.
Can I get in trouble for paying a fake refund processing fee?
You won’t get in legal trouble, but you’ll lose any money sent to scammers. Never pay upfront fees for grants, loans, or refunds claimed over the phone.
What government agencies can I report refund scams to?
You can report scam calls to the FTC, IRS, FBI, FCC, and state authorities. These agencies can investigate, shut down scams, and warn other consumers.
Conclusion
The UNL Refund Department scam is a dangerous fraud targeting small businesses with claims of eligible refunds. If you receive a suspicious callback voicemail, avoid calling back and giving personal or financial details. Report the scam attempt and consult legitimate tax professionals if you have refund questions. Stay vigilant against tax and government imposter scams to protect your identity, accounts, and money.
