“I never thought it would happen to me.”
That’s how nearly every victim begins when describing their experience with the Rapid Refund Scam — a growing tax-season fraud that targets people during their most financially vulnerable moments. As residents across New York approached the April 15 deadline, many of us received phone calls, emails, or texts claiming to be from the Rapid Refund Department, Tax Processing Unit, or even New York State Treasury. At first, these messages seemed official. Many victims, like me, truly believed we were speaking to real tax professionals.
“They told me my Social Security number was compromised,” one victim from Brooklyn shared. “The caller had my full name, address, and even my previous year’s refund amount. I had no reason to doubt them. They said enrolling in their Rapid Refund system would protect my money.”
But instead of protection, it became a nightmare.
Dozens of affected people explain how the scammer pressured them with fear tactics, fake deadlines, and threats of frozen refunds. They demanded immediate verification: ID uploads, bank details, and tax forms. “They told me my refund would be delayed for months unless I acted right away,” another victim said. “With bills piling up, I panicked. I did what they asked.”
Within hours or days, victims discovered the truth — their identities stolen, their refunds redirected, or fraudulent tax filings made under their names. “I checked my IRS account, and someone had already filed a return. Not me. Not my preparer. Someone else.”
The emotional impact has been overwhelming.
For many, it wasn’t just about losing money — it was about losing trust.
“I felt stupid. Embarrassed. Violated,” said a woman from Queens. “I’m careful with everything. Yet they still got me.”
Others highlight how professional the scammer sounded.
“He introduced himself as David Carson — a Rapid Refund Agent,” one victim shared. “He had a badge number, email signature, everything. He said he was working with the New York State Department of Taxation. I believed every word.”
Victims also describe the fake websites used by scammers:
“The site looked exactly like the government portal. Same colors, same layout. I only realized it was fake after the damage was done.”
These testimonies reveal the emotional toll — fear, confusion, shame, anger — that victims endure. The scam doesn’t just steal money; it steals peace of mind.
“Every unknown call scares me now,” a retired teacher said. “I keep checking my credit, my bank, my IRS account. I feel like someone is still watching me.”