Taxpayer Beware

Hosted by California Tax Education Council

NewsInterviews guests

Website RSS feed

Episodes

Latest episode

Apr 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

When it comes to selecting a tax preparer, the stakes are high. The thought of potential mistakes or falling victim to fraud can be daunting. But fear not! Join Ray Davis as he hosts an exciting podcast series packed with insightful discussions. Tune in to hear real tax scam stories shared by tax professionals, get a sneak peek into the world of enforcement specialists who knock on doors, and so much more. Engage with us now and uncover the secrets of the tax world!Visit ctec.org for more information. Also in Spanish at contribuyentecuidese.org...

Listen to episodes

21 recent

April 3, 202614 min

How to Effectively Navigate Tax Issues

Ever get a dreaded letter from the state, after you filed on time and did everything right, and wondered, “What now?” In this episode of Taxpayer Beware, host Ray Davis welcomes Angela Jones, the Taxpayer Advocate for the California Franchise Tax Board, who reveals what to do next when facing unexpected tax problems.Whether you’ve hit a rough patch such as job loss, divorce, or just confusing paperwork, Angela shares real-life stories, concrete resources, and a step-by-step guide to getting help before things spiral. Discover what her office can assist with, why ignoring tax notices is the worst move, and how installment agreements can make a tough situation manageable.Plus, learn the best ways to get in touch, including phone, email, and more, and hear how taxpayers and businesses have turned negative situations around by reaching out.So tune in to this episode now and empower yourself with expert tips and advocacy!Follow UsTwitter @CATaxEdCouncilFacebook @CATaxEdCouncil /@CTECEnEspanolInstagram @CATaxEdCouncilYouTube @CATAXEDTikTok @cataxedcouncilPresented by The California Tax Education Councilwww.CTEC.org Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

March 4, 202626 min

Spotting Tax Scams Before They Spot You

Tax scams are getting sneakier every year—ghost preparers, phishing emails, bogus job offers, and too-good-to-be-true returns. How can you really know if your tax preparer is the real deal?In this episode of Taxpayer Beware, host Ray Davis chats with Alma Galvan, spokesperson for the Better Business Bureau, about the sharpest scam warning signs and the powerful tools you can use to verify legitimate tax pros in California. Discover the BBB’s favorite red flag tips, how to use the Scam Tracker, what to do if you spot fraud, and why checking CTEC’s registry can save your refund and your peace of mind.Protect yourself against identity theft, shady pop-up tax shops, and scammers who prey on consumers during tax season.Tune in now.Follow UsTwitter @CATaxEdCouncilFacebook @CATaxEdCouncil /@CTECEnEspanolInstagram @CATaxEdCouncilYouTube @CATAXEDTikTok @cataxedcouncilPresented by The California Tax Education Councilwww.CTEC.org Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

February 4, 202612 min

How to Outsmart Tax Scams

Tax season isn’t just stressful—it’s open season for scammers hunting for your money and personal data. From convincing fake texts to phony websites mimicking the real Franchise Tax Board, fraudsters are upping their game every year. In this episode of Taxpayer Beware, host Ray Davis sits down with Andrew Lepage from the Franchise Tax Board Public Affairs Division to break down the latest tax-related scams, show you what red flags to watch for, and explain exactly how to protect yourself if you receive a suspicious message, call, or email.Want to keep your information—and your refund—safe from scammers? Listen now and arm yourself with the tools you need to stay secure this tax season.Follow UsTwitter @CATaxEdCouncilFacebook @CATaxEdCouncil /@CTECEnEspanolInstagram @CATaxEdCouncilYouTube @CATAXEDTikTok @cataxedcouncilPresented by The California Tax Education Councilwww.CTEC.org Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

April 4, 202517 min

Avoiding Social Media Scammers

The Internal Revenue Service recently issued a consumer alert about a series of tax scams and bad social media advice that led thousands of taxpayers to file refund claims they didn’t qualify for. On this episode of Taxpayer Beware, presented by The California Tax Education Council, host Ray Davis will be speaking with Christella Sanchez, Senior Stakeholder Liaison with the IRS to identify ways scammers are pretending to be the IRS, and how to spot a scam. Plus, they discuss the false tax credit hoaxes spreading on social media, why you shouldn’t ignore letters from the IRS, what to do if you think you’ve been scammed, and how you can find a legitimate tax preparer to help you. So press play and enjoy this new episode of Taxpayer Beware from The California Tax Education Council.Follow UsTwitter @CATaxEdCouncilFacebook @CATaxEdCouncil /@CTECEnEspanolInstagram @CATaxEdCouncilYouTube @CATAXEDTikTok @cataxedcouncilPresented by The California Tax Education Councilwww.CTEC.org Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

March 4, 202531 min

Beware the Scam: A Tax Fraud Victim’s Story

We’re starting to get emails and calls from taxpayers who have listened to our podcast, and they’re sharing situations they faced. On this episode of Taxpayer Beware, presented by The California Tax Education Council, host Ray Davis will be speaking with Tom O’Saben, Enrolled Agent, CTEC board member and Governmental Relations expert with the National Association of Tax Professionals, and Rebecca Landeros with the Franchise Tax Board Tax Preparer Enforcement Team, to share the real-life story of a tax fraud victim. Ray, Tom, and Rebecca break down all aspects of the victim’s story, detailing the mistakes made along the way, and how you can avoid the same pitfalls. So press play and enjoy this new episode of Taxpayer Beware from The California Tax Education Council.Follow UsTwitter @CATaxEdCouncilFacebook @CATaxEdCouncil /@CTECEnEspanolInstagram @CATaxEdCouncilYouTube @CATAXEDTikTok @cataxedcouncilPresented by The California Tax Education Councilwww.CTEC.org Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

February 4, 20259 min

What to Know About Disaster Relief Fraud

In the wake of California’s devastating wildfires, many taxpayers and businesses are relying on disaster tax relief to recover financially. Unfortunately, scammers see this as an opportunity to prey on victims. In this episode of Taxpayer Beware, presented by the California Tax Education Council, host Ray Davis speaks with Rebecca Landeros of the Franchise Tax Board Enforcement Team about the warning signs of fraudulent tax preparers.From recognizing red flags like unregistered tax preparers to understanding why you should never sign a blank tax return, this episode is packed with practical advice to help you avoid being scammed. Rebecca also explains how to verify credentials, report suspected fraud, and protect yourself during this vulnerable time.Tune in and learn how to safely navigate disaster tax relief and ensure your tax professional is the real deal.Follow UsTwitter @CATaxEdCouncilFacebook @CATaxEdCouncil /@CTECEnEspanolInstagram @CATaxEdCouncilYouTube @CATAXEDTikTok @cataxedcouncilPresented by The California Tax Education Councilwww.CTEC.org Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

March 19, 202417 min

How to Spot Tax Scams and Avoid Fraud

Understanding taxes is complicated. Hiring a tax professional can help, and it’s something millions of people do. But what if the tax professional you hire is actually a scammer? On this episode of Taxpayer Beware, presented by The California Tax Education Council, host Ray Davis will be speaking with Antonio Vazquez of the California State Board of Equalization, to help illuminate how to hire legitimate tax pros, how to spot scammers, and what to do if you get scammed. Antonio shares insights on what ghost tax preparers are and how they operate, common red flags, what questions to ask your prospective tax professional, and much more. So press play and enjoy this new episode of Taxpayer Beware from The California Tax Education Council.Follow UsTwitter @CATaxEdCouncilFacebook @CATaxEdCouncil /@CTECEnEspanolInstagram @CATaxEdCouncilYouTube @CATAXEDTikTok @cataxedcouncilPresented by The California Tax Education Councilwww.CTEC.org Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

February 22, 202424 min

Exempt or Not Exempt?

Tax professionals doing business in California must meet certain state requirements – but the details on these requirements can be confusing, especially when it comes to who is exempt, and who isn’t. On this episode of Taxpayer Beware, presented by The California Tax Education Council, host Ray Davis will be speaking with Rebecca Landeros from the California Franchise Tax Board Enforcement Team to clear up confusion you might have around these state requirements. Rebecca shares insights on situations like out of state businesses doing California returns, volunteer services, and she talks through some specific scenarios that should help enlighten the issue. So hit play and enjoy this new episode of Taxpayer Beware from The California Tax Education Council.Follow UsTwitter @CATaxEdCouncilFacebook @CATaxEdCouncil /@CTECEnEspanolInstagram @CATaxEdCouncilYouTube @CATAXEDTikTok @cataxedcouncilPresented by The California Tax Education Councilwww.CTEC.org Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

January 25, 202427 min

Choosing the Right Tax Pro for You

In California, only attorneys, CPAs, CTEC-registered tax preparers, and enrolled agents are considered legally qualified tax professionals - but how do you know which one of these options is right for you? On this episode of Taxpayer Beware, presented by The California Tax Education Council, host Ray Davis will be speaking with three representatives to understand the differences and how to decide which one is the right fit. Jen Bogart from The California Society of CPAs, Fernando Angell, a CTEC director, and Tom O’Saben from the National Association of Tax Professionals share insights on the different types of tax pros, how to decide which one is right for your financial situation, and how to spot a scam that looks like a good deal. Hit play and enjoy this new episode of Taxpayer Beware from The California Tax Education Council.Follow UsTwitter @CATaxEdCouncilFacebook @CATaxEdCouncil /@CTECEnEspanolInstagram @CATaxEdCouncilYouTube @CATAXEDTikTok @cataxedcouncilPresented by The California Tax Education Councilwww.CTEC.org Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

January 11, 20241 min

Finding Help & Avoiding Scams

When it comes to filing taxes, we could all use a little help. But how do you know who's legally qualified to assist, and what happens if they make a mistake? Or worse – what if you become a victim of fraud? Welcome to Taxpayer Beware, presented by The California Tax Education Council, a show focused on providing the right knowledge and information to help you find the best help, and avoid the latest scams. On each episode, host Ray Davis sits down with a variety of expert guests to share their firsthand insights and experiences, to equip you with the tools and information you need as you prepare for tax season and beyond. So join us for every episode of Taxpayer Beware, presented by The California Tax Education Council.Follow UsTwitter @CATaxEdCouncilFacebook @CATaxEdCouncilInstagram @CATaxEdCouncilYouTube @CATAXEDPresented by The California Tax Education Councilwww.CTEC.org Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Is this your show?

Claim this listing to keep it up to date, reach guests who want to pitch you, and manage bookings with Guestify.

Claim this listing