The state Department of Taxation is warning residents about a series of new scams involving false claims of tax obligations, impending seizures and “distraint warrants.”

What You Need To Know

  • The Department of Taxation said it has received reports of Hawaii taxpayers getting text messages, letters, social media messages and emails falsely informing them that they are subject to actions such as seizure or forfeiture of assets due to non-payment of taxes

  • Messages typically direct the recipient to click a link or call a phone number. Some messages claim to be distraint warrants, which are not used by the Internal Revenue Service

  • The department reminds the public that it does not send text messages, post social media messages about taxes owed or send unsolicited emails

  • Residents are advised not to reply to any correspondence from the “Hawaii Department of Revenue” or “Tax Assessment Securities”

The department said it has received reports of Hawaii taxpayers getting text messages, letters, social media messages and emails falsely informing them that they are subject to actions such as seizure or forfeiture of assets due to non-payment of taxes. The messages typically direct the recipient to click a link or call a phone number. Some messages claim to be distraint warrants, which are not used by the Internal Revenue Service.

Some versions of the scam involve notices falsely informing the taxpayer that they have unclaimed money that they can access by clicking a link or calling a phone number.

The department reminds the public that it does not send text messages, post social media messages about taxes owed, or send unsolicited emails.

Residents are advised not to reply to any correspondence from the “Hawaii Department of Revenue” or “Tax Assessment Securities.”

“They have no association with government in Hawaii—it is a scam,” the department stated. “Do not click on the link, open an attachment, or call the phone number; they are just trying to capture your personal information, solicit business, or take your money.”

Anyone receiving these types of messages is advised to contact the department directly using contact information listed on its website: https://tax.hawaii.gov/contact/.

Michael Tsai covers local and state politics for Spectrum News Hawaii. He can be reached at michael.tsai@charter.com.