ProfMoneyWise
Member
Beware of Tax Time ID Theft Scams
During tax time, criminals impersonate the IRS by email, phone, websites and even tweets in an effort to scam your personal information. In 2011 the IRS stopped over 250,000 fake returns preventing nearly $1.5 billion in refunds from going to criminals. We don't want you to be the next victim.
Follow these important steps to prevent ID Theft at tax time.
Never leave your tax prep documents such at W-2's, pay stubs or financial statements in an unsecure spot like your car or your office.
Choose a tax preparer carefully. Make sure you work with someone reputable and ask how your information will be protected while in their possession.
Be skeptical of those who advertise online. For something as important as your tax return, it pays to have a face to face meeting.
If filing electronically make sure your firewall, anti-virus and anti-spyware software are up to date.
Use strong passwords to protect your data when e-filing
If filing by mail, take your return directly to the post office. Do not leave it in your home mailbox.
The IRS will NEVER contact you via email with questions about your return or refund. Do not respond to these emails.
If you do receive a suspicious looking IRS email, please forward it to phishing@irs.gov.
You can confirm if something is coming from the IRS by calling them directly at 800-829-1040.
During tax time, criminals impersonate the IRS by email, phone, websites and even tweets in an effort to scam your personal information. In 2011 the IRS stopped over 250,000 fake returns preventing nearly $1.5 billion in refunds from going to criminals. We don't want you to be the next victim.
Follow these important steps to prevent ID Theft at tax time.
Never leave your tax prep documents such at W-2's, pay stubs or financial statements in an unsecure spot like your car or your office.
Choose a tax preparer carefully. Make sure you work with someone reputable and ask how your information will be protected while in their possession.
Be skeptical of those who advertise online. For something as important as your tax return, it pays to have a face to face meeting.
If filing electronically make sure your firewall, anti-virus and anti-spyware software are up to date.
Use strong passwords to protect your data when e-filing
If filing by mail, take your return directly to the post office. Do not leave it in your home mailbox.
The IRS will NEVER contact you via email with questions about your return or refund. Do not respond to these emails.
If you do receive a suspicious looking IRS email, please forward it to phishing@irs.gov.
You can confirm if something is coming from the IRS by calling them directly at 800-829-1040.