The Indiana Department of Revenue is advising Hoosiers to be leery of so-called tax preparers promising larger than expected tax refunds. This is often publicized by scam artists claiming to be legitimate tax preparers. These scammers use flyers, advertisements, phony store fronts and presentations to lure victims into using their services.

The Indiana Department of Revenue, a national leader in fraud prevention, warns Hoosiers to be cautious when handling their personal and financial information during tax season.

“Since 2014, Indiana has stopped more than $110 million in stolen identity refund fraud,” DOR Commissioner Adam Krupp said. “Our fraud prevention programs show continuous improvements with groundbreaking results, but our efforts are lost if individuals don’t protect their own information against fraudsters.”

The Indiana Department of Homeland Security encourages Hoosiers to plan ahead for extreme weather as part of Severe Weather Preparedness Week, March 17-23.

“Severe Weather Preparedness Week serves as a great reminder of the increased potential for thunderstorms, tornadoes and flooding in Indiana during the spring and early summer,” said David Hosick, director of public affairs at IDHS. “We are hopeful Indiana is not heavily impacted by severe weather this spring, but taking the time in advance to plan, prepare and practice can help minimize weather-related deaths, injuries and property damage.”

A new report from central Indiana realtors shows an increase in new listings, sales and prices for November.

New listings went up 4.2 percent in November compared to the previous November, and a whopping 7 percent for the quarter. The median sales price rose 8.6 percent in November and 7.0 percent in the three-month review. The average sales price increased by 9.3 percent in November and 6.0 percent when comparing the three months ending in November. Closed sales increased 0.4 percent in November to 2,828.

‘Tis the season to safely decorate the home with winter holiday decorations. The State Fire Marshal reminds Hoosiers that unattended candles and Christmas trees placed too close to heat sources cause many home fires during the holiday season.

“Following a few safety tips can help prevent decorating-related home fires that occur every year,” said State Fire Marshal James Greeson. “Learn about and stay aware of possible hazards that can make the holiday less than merry for you and your family.”

The Indiana Department of Revenue and the Internal Revenue Service (warn of fraudulent e-mails impersonating either revenue agency encouraging individuals to open files corrupted with malware.

These scam e-mails use tax transcripts as bait to entice users to open the attachments. The scam is particularly problematic for businesses or government agencies whose employees open the malware infected attachments, putting the entire network at risk. This software is complex and may take several months to remove.

The Indiana Department of Homeland Security encourages Hoosiers to use Winter Weather Preparedness Week, Nov. 11-17, as a time for learning and household preparation.

Power outages are a major concern during severe winter storms. Snow, ice, high winds and extreme cold conditions may cause above ground power lines to work irregularly or stop working. Winter Weather Preparedness Week provides a chance for Hoosiers to prepare and practice a household emergency plan for utility distractions.

After a warm start to fall, cooler temperatures are finally expected this weekend. Hoosiers using alternative heating methods to avoid the furnace a bit longer should exercise caution.

“During the months of October through December, fire-related deaths increase because of alternative heating sources,” said State Fire Marshal James Greeson. “These heating sources are the leading cause of all home fires for the calendar year so sharing information about their dangers is vital.”