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The Reason Conagra Brands Employees Need to be Aware of Common Tax Scams

Healthcare Provider Update: Healthcare Provider for Conagra Brands: For Conagra Brands, the healthcare provider information is typically linked to their employment benefits and can vary based on the location and specific plans offered to employees. Generally, large companies like Conagra may partner with major insurers such as UnitedHealthcare, Anthem (Elevance Health), or Aetna to provide health insurance benefits to their employees. It is advisable for Enrolled members to refer to their HR department or employee benefit documentation for specific provider details. Potential Healthcare Cost Increases in 2026: As we look ahead to 2026, significant increases in healthcare costs are anticipated, largely influenced by the expiration of enhanced federal subsidies under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Reports indicate that premium rates for ACA marketplace plans could rise by over 60% in certain states due to higher medical expenses and market adjustments. Notably, a staggering 92% of policyholders may face a potential increase in their out-of-pocket premiums by more than 75%, reflecting the compounded effect of expiring subsidies and aggressive rate hikes from leading insurers. This perfect storm may lead to many consumers being priced out of essential healthcare coverage, forcing a reevaluation of their insurance options as financial pressures mount. Click here to learn more

As for the Conagra Brands employees and retirees, one must always be careful during tax time and throughout the year as well when it comes to tax scams,' says Tyson Mavar of The Retirement Group at Wealth Enhancement Group. 'This article provides a general overview of the most common types of scams and how to avoid them with the help of the IRS's recommendations.'

'The increase in tax scams during peak seasons calls for more caution among the Conagra Brands employees and retirees,' says Wesley Boudreaux, a representative of The Retirement Group, a division of Wealth Enhancement Group. 'Knowing your tax responsibilities and using the IRS's recommended procedures are important steps in the protection of one's personal and financial information.'

In this article, we will discuss:

1. Types of Tax Scams: Different schemes including phishing, phone scams, and tax preparer fraud that target personal and financial information.

2. Preventive Measures: Tips to prevent scams such as checking the source and using protective measures such as the IRS Identity Protection PIN.

3. Consequences and Reporting: Discusses the effects of these scams and how to report them to the proper channels to minimize the effects.

These scams, as reported by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), are more likely to occur during tax season and other times of economic uncertainty. As we are now in the middle of tax season, the Internal Revenue Service is sharing important information with taxpayers and urging them to be on the lookout for scam artists who may attempt to steal their identities.

According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), financial scams are most common among older people, and con artists often pose as trustworthy entities such as government agencies, charities, or healthcare providers. The FTC has reported that more than $1 billion was lost to fraud by consumers 60 years of age and over, with the median loss being $600. It is crucial for Conagra Brands employees and retirees to know the following common tax scams that are likely to be encountered in order to avoid becoming a victim of them.

Phishing and text message scams

The first con that Conagra Brands employees and retirees should be on the lookout for is phishing. Phishing and text message scams are unsolicited emails or text messages that appear to be from official IRS websites in an attempt to get you to share personal or financial info. When con artists get their hands on this information, they immediately use it to steal people's identities or their money. The Internal Revenue Service does not contact taxpayers through email, text messages, or any other form of social media communication requesting personal or financial information.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) most typically initiates communication with taxpayers through the regular mail delivered by the United States Postal Service. This information is very important and we would like all the Conagra Brands workers and retired employees to be aware of it.

Phone scams

This means that Conagra Brands employees and retirees need to be wary of fraudulent phone calls. The scammers will usually tell their victims that they owe the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) money, or that they are due a large refund from the IRS. The calls can show up on your Caller ID as coming from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), they may be accompanied by phony emails that appear to be sent from the IRS, or they may be followed by calls from people claiming to be from the police.

These cons will often target more vulnerable populations, such as immigrants and the elderly, and will often use scare tactics like threatening to arrest you, revoke your license, or deport you.

Tax-related identity theft

Tax-related identity theft occurs when someone uses your Social Security number to file a fraudulent tax return and claim a refund. It is possible that you will not even notice that your identity has been stolen until you attempt to file your taxes and discover that someone else has already used your Social Security number to file a return. You may also receive a letter from the Internal Revenue Service informing you that it has detected a suspicious return that uses your Social Security number. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has recently put into place a program called the Identity Protection PIN Opt-In Program to help combat identity theft related to taxes. The Identity Protection PIN is a six-digit code that only you and the IRS know when you file your tax return.

This code assists the IRS in verifying your identity and helps reduce the chances of your return being accepted by a fraudulent filing. This preventative measure is something that Conagra Brands employees and retirees can take in order to protect themselves against the possibility of their identity being stolen.

Tax preparer fraud

There are times when con artists will pretend to be a legitimate tax preparer in order to commit identity theft or fraud with your taxes and your refund. Conagra Brands employees and retirees should be cautious of any tax preparer who: Refuses to sign the tax return (also called a ghost preparer), Accepts a cash-only payment, Claims unfounded deductions or tax credits, Has the refunds deposited into his or her account, or Promises a bigger or inflated refund than what is due.

In general, a legitimate tax preparer will also: Review your income and credits and deductions and request evidence of such; sign the return as the preparer; include his or her valid preparer tax identification number; and provide you with a copy of your return. In addition, they must be permitted to prepare tax returns. It is especially important for current and former Conagra Brands workers and retirees to be careful when choosing a tax preparer. You are still going to be responsible for everything that is on your return even if your return was done by another person.

False offer in compromise

This type of scam is usually conducted by fraudsters whose goal is to steal the victim’s personal details and claim unemployment benefits. If you receive an unexpected prepaid card for unemployment benefits, if you notice an unexpected payment from your state in your bank account, or if you receive an IRS Form 1099-G for unemployment compensation that you did not apply for you should report it to your state’s unemployment insurance office.

Unemployment insurance fraud

As has been stated earlier, these cases are usually reported by con artists. Their goal is to use your personal information to file for unemployment benefits. If you receive an unexpected prepaid card for unemployment benefits, if you observe an unexpected payment from your state in your bank account, or if you receive an IRS Form 1099-G for unemployment compensation that you did not apply for, you should report it as quickly as possible to the state unemployment insurance office in your area.

Fake charities

Charity scammers pose as real charitable organizations in order to con money from people who are not aware they are being scammed. Most of the schemes are made to look realistic and timely, for instance, natural disasters, storms, or the COVID-19 pandemic. It is important that Conagra Brands workers and retirees should be aware of the charitable groups whose names are similar to those of more known or national companies or organizations. It is always important for any form of donation in any form whether it be cash, gift cards, or electronic funds transfer to try and verify the charity and do not send physical cash. The IRS has a tool on its website at irs.gov/charities-and-nonprofits that can help you determine if an organization is a charity.

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Protecting yourself from scams

Luckily, there are some measures that Conagra Brands workers and retirees can take to avoid different types of scams, including those aimed at taxpayers, in order to protect their financial well-being.

Do not click on links in emails, text messages, or instant messaging that are unfamiliar or look suspicious and always get information directly from the government websites.
If you don’t know the number of the person calling you, do not answer the phone; instead, let the call go to voicemail and check who it was later.
Never click on the download button in an email unless you know the source of the email.
Make sure that your hardware and security software are up to date and use strong passwords whenever possible, and where possible, enable multi-factor authentication.
Never send your personal or financial information through email, text message, or telephone in its natural form.

Sources:

1. Internal Revenue Service. 'Taxpayers Should Hang Up If Tax Season Scammers Come Calling.' IRS , 2023. www.irs.gov/newsroom/taxpayers-should-hang-up-if-tax-season-scammers-come-calling .

2. Internal Revenue Service. 'IRS Warns of Holiday Scams, Encourages Protecting Sensitive Personal Information as 9th Annual National Tax Security Awareness Week Starts.' IRS , 2 Dec. 2024. www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-warns-of-holiday-scams-encourages-protecting-sensitive-personal-information .

3. Internal Revenue Service. 'Dirty Dozen: IRS Urges Taxpayers to Not Fall Prey to Untrustworthy Tax Preparers; 'Ghost Preparers' Can Disappear with Taxpayer Cash, Information.' IRS , 5 Apr. 2024. www.irs.gov/newsroom/dirty-dozen-irs-urges-taxpayers-to-not-fall-prey-to-untrustworthy-tax-preparers .

4. Internal Revenue Service. 'Taxpayer Alert as Holidays, Tax Season Approach: Watch Out for Scams, Protect Financial Information; National Tax Security Awareness Week, Day 1 Highlights Important Tips.' IRS , 29 Nov. 2021. www.irs.gov/newsroom/taxpayer-alert-as-holidays-tax-season-approach .

5. Internal Revenue Service. 'Recognize Tax Scams and Fraud.' IRS. www.irs.gov/newsroom/recognize-tax-scams-and-fraud.

How does Conagra Brands, Inc. ensure that employees understand their retirement benefits, particularly the nuances of the Conagra Foods Inc. Pension Plan and the historical obligations from the Beatrice Retirement Income Plan (BRIP)? Are there specific communication strategies or resources provided to employees to navigate their eligibility and benefits?

Conagra Brands has not provided consistent documentation of the Beatrice Retirement Income Plan (BRIP), as evidenced by a lost BRIP Plan document, which has created confusion among former Beatrice employees. Conagra relies on internal committees like the Conagra Brands Employee Benefits Administrative Committee to oversee the administration of the Conagra Foods Inc. Pension Plan and the historical obligations from BRIP. However, there are allegations in the class action that Conagra has failed to communicate certain benefit entitlements, particularly the age at which unreduced benefits should commence(Conagra_Brands_Inc_02-1…).

In light of regulatory compliance, what measures does Conagra Brands, Inc. take to maintain the integrity and security of pension plan documents, especially considering the historical loss of the BRIP Plan document? How do the missing documents impact employee knowledge of their benefits?

The loss of the BRIP Plan document represents a significant failure in document retention and regulatory compliance. Under ERISA, Conagra is required to maintain and distribute these documents upon request. The missing BRIP documents have caused discrepancies in the administration of retirement benefits, particularly regarding the age of eligibility for unreduced benefits. Conagra has been criticized for not informing employees that these documents were lost, leading to confusion and underpayment of benefits(Conagra_Brands_Inc_02-1…).

What resources does Conagra Brands, Inc. offer to its employees who have questions about their pension benefits or discrepancies that may arise from the transition from the Beatrice Retirement Income Plan to the Conagra Foods Inc. Pension Plan? How can employees best utilize these resources?

Conagra directs employees to contact the Plan service center for inquiries related to their pension benefits. However, based on the complaints filed in court, there have been issues with transparency and the accessibility of important plan documents, including the BRIP. Employees have had to appeal their benefit decisions and deal with insufficient guidance on navigating the discrepancies between the old BRIP and the Conagra Plan. Resources like benefit calculators and service centers have sometimes provided inaccurate or incomplete information(Conagra_Brands_Inc_02-1…).

How does Conagra Brands, Inc. handle the potential discrepancies regarding the pension benefits related to the age eligibility for receiving unreduced benefits in the context of both the Conagra Plan and the Beatrice plan? What steps have been taken to prevent similar issues in the future?

Conagra has been handling discrepancies poorly, particularly around the age at which participants in the BRIP are entitled to receive unreduced benefits. The company's adjustment of the eligibility age from 60 to 65 without properly consulting or notifying employees has led to underpayment of benefits. The ongoing class action lawsuit seeks to address these discrepancies and prevent future issues by clarifying benefit entitlements under the terms of both plans(Conagra_Brands_Inc_02-1…).

Can you elaborate on the process that Conagra Brands, Inc. utilizes to communicate with employees about plan amendments and to clarify their rights under the Conagra Foods Inc. Pension Plan? What specific improvements have been made to this communication strategy in recent years?

The communication process regarding plan amendments at Conagra has been criticized as insufficient, particularly concerning the transition from the BRIP to the Conagra Plan. Employees have filed complaints about not receiving adequate notice of important changes, such as the shift in eligibility age for unreduced benefits. Conagra has failed to provide clear documentation, leading to confusion among employees. There is no evidence of significant improvements in recent years(Conagra_Brands_Inc_02-1…).

How does Conagra Brands, Inc. ensure compliance with the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), especially regarding the fiduciary duties of the Conagra Brands Employee Benefits Administrative Committee? What protocols are in place to guarantee that employeesâ€™ rights are consistently protected?

Conagra's compliance with ERISA has been challenged in court, with allegations of fiduciary breaches related to the loss of critical plan documents like the BRIP. The Conagra Brands Employee Benefits Administrative Committee is responsible for maintaining the integrity of the pension plan, but the loss of documents and failure to notify employees of their rights raise questions about the adequacy of these protocols. The lawsuit highlights a need for improved oversight and adherence to ERISA's fiduciary requirements(Conagra_Brands_Inc_02-1…).

What options are currently available for former Beatrice employees and other participants in the Conagra Foods Inc. Pension Plan to claim benefits they believe they are entitled to? How does Conagra Brands, Inc. facilitate this process?

Former Beatrice employees can contact the Pension Service Center to inquire about their benefits and initiate claims. However, the process has been complicated by missing documentation and conflicting information about eligibility. Some employees have been forced to file legal claims to recover benefits owed to them, as in the case of the ongoing class action lawsuit. The lack of clear and accessible resources has made it difficult for employees to navigate the process effectively(Conagra_Brands_Inc_02-1…).

In what ways does Conagra Brands, Inc. provide support or guidance for employees approaching retirement, particularly in understanding the timelines and responsibilities associated with electing benefits from the Conagra Foods Inc. Pension Plan?

Conagra provides online calculators and service center assistance for employees approaching retirement, but these tools have proven unreliable for some participants. Employees have reported being unable to calculate their benefits accurately or being told they were ineligible for benefits before age 65, despite the terms of the BRIP allowing benefits to begin at age 60. The class action complaint highlights deficiencies in the guidance provided to employees regarding their benefits(Conagra_Brands_Inc_02-1…).

How can employees at Conagra Brands, Inc. contact the Employee Benefits Administrative Committee for inquiries related to their benefits? What are the most efficient avenues for addressing concerns about the Conagra Foods Inc. Pension Plan or the transitions from the Beatrice plan?

Employees can contact the Plan service center for inquiries related to their benefits, but accessing the Employee Benefits Administrative Committee directly appears to be more challenging. The lawsuit indicates that employees seeking to address discrepancies with their benefits have not received timely or effective communication from the committee, often requiring legal action to resolve their concerns(Conagra_Brands_Inc_02-1…).

How does Conagra Brands, Inc. evaluate its pension plan's performance and benefits offerings in relation to industry standards? What methods are used to ensure the company remains competitive while protecting employee benefits under the Conagra Foods Inc. Pension Plan?

There is little publicly available information regarding how Conagra evaluates its pension plan's performance against industry standards. The company's handling of historical pension obligations, particularly from the Beatrice acquisition, suggests that its methods for protecting employee benefits have been insufficient. Ongoing litigation regarding underpayment of benefits and loss of critical documents indicates that the company may need to improve its evaluation methods and compliance efforts to remain competitive(Conagra_Brands_Inc_02-1…).

With the current political climate we are in it is important to keep up with current news and remain knowledgeable about your benefits.

Conagra Brands announced a restructuring plan aiming to streamline operations and reduce costs. This includes layoffs impacting various departments and potential changes to employee benefits.

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For more information you can reach the plan administrator for Conagra Brands at 222 W. Merchandise Mart Plaza Chicago, IL 60654; or by calling them at (312) 549-5000.