Tax Time Reminder

[ProfMoneyWise]

Don't Get Scammed at Tax Time

Be sure you protect yourself against identity theft and other scams that increase during the tax filing season. Scammers try to use the name or logo of the IRS or U.S. Department of the Treasury to obtain your personal information.

IRS websites are being copied by imposters. Follow these simple guidelines to keep your information safe.

• The IRS never uses email to initiate contact with taxpayers about their accounts.

• If emails promising a tax refund pop up in your mailbox, immediately delete them without opening them.

• Visit the IRS Web site, Internal Revenue Service, to use the "Where's My Refund?" interactive tool to determine if you are really getting a refund.

• Employees of the IRS do not reach out to taxpayers by email or phone; they send refunds or audits through the mail.

• Be very skeptical of any IRS communications not coming from the United States Post Office.

• As always, watch your personal and financial information very closely, and never open unsolicited messages claiming to come from the IRS.

• You can confirm if something is coming from the IRS by calling them directly at 800-829-1040 (M – F, 7:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. your local time.)

 

[ProfMoneyWise]

Warning: Do not be Fooled By Latest Email Phishing Scam

Zander Insurance wants to warn you of the latest IRS email phishing scam. The attachment ends in ".exe" which will redirect you to a fake sight designed to look like the IRS. The Internal Revenue Service has issued several recent consumer warnings on the fraudulent use of the IRS name or logo. The scammers are trying to gain access to consumers' financial information in order to steal their identity and assets.

The IRS will NEVER initiate communication with you through an email. If the IRS needs to contact you they will first send you a letter through standard or registered mail. Do not click on links contained in an email that appear to be from the IRS and do not respond to the email.