Scammers are operating fraudulent websites with website names very similar to the VT Department of Taxes online taxpayer portal, “myVTax.Vermont.gov”.
When navigating to the Vermont Department of Taxes online, doublecheck that the URL in your browser indicates “Vermont.gov”. The scam websites use “.com” or other extensions, and NOT “.gov”.
It is advised to always thoroughly review the entire website address and check with the agency directly when uncertain. There are multiple ways that scammers can create fake web page addresses that clone existing webpages. For example, a couple naming tricks they may use are including “gov” within the address name or adding lengthy extensions to the URL, usually by using a dash.
The following is a made up website name to use as an example to demonstrate some website scamming methods: examplewebsitename.gov
| Scam Site Example | Scam Method |
| exarnplewebsitename.com |
-Domain name misspelled |
| example–website-name.com | -Domain name includes dashes -Ends with “.com” |
| examplewebsitename-gov.net |
-Dash included in the domain name to include “gov” |
| examplewebsitename.gov-secure.net |
-Dash included in domain with extension addition. |
| secure.examplewebsitename.gov | -Subdomain takeover: A hacking method allows for the use of an old subdomain and cloud service |
If you have used an illegitimate website when filing taxes and have concerns of taxpayer identity theft, contact the VT Department of Taxes at 1-866-828-2865 and find additional information on their website, tax.vermont.gov/help/identity-theft.
For additional identity theft information, contact the Consumer Assistance Program at 1-800-649-2424 or online at ago.vermont.gov/cap
