Beware of IRS Scams and Identity Theft, Former IRS

Beware – Tax scams can take many forms, with perpetrators posing as the IRS in everything from e-mail refund schemes to phone impersonators.

The IRS has warned taxpayers to be vigilant of any unexpected communication that is purportedly from the IRS at the start of tax season.

The IRS encourages taxpayers to be on the lookout for phone and email scams that use the IRS as a lure.

The IRS does never contacts with taxpayers by email to request personal or financial information.

This includes any type of electronic communication, such as text messages and social media channels.

The IRS also does not ask for personal identification numbers (PINs), passwords or similar confidential access information for credit card, bank or other financial accounts.

Taxpayers should not open any attachments or click on any links contained in the message. Instead, forward the e-mail to phishing@irs.gov.

The IRS continues to aggressively expand its efforts to protect and prevent refund fraud involving identity theft as well as work with federal, state and local officials to pursue the perpetrators of this fraud.

The IRS offers several suggestions for taxpayers to help protect themselves against scams and identity theft:

• Do not carry your Social Security card or any documents that include your Social Security number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN).

• Do not give a business your SSN or ITIN just because they ask. Give it only when required.

• Protect  all your financial information.

• Check all 3  your credit report every 6 months.

• Secure personal information in your home.

• Protect your personal computers by using firewalls and anti-spam/virus software, updating security patches and changing passwords for Internet accounts.

• Do not give personal information over the phone, through the mail or on the Internet unless you have initiated the contact and are sure of the recipient.

Taxpayers also should be very careful when choosing a tax preparer.

While most preparers provide excellent service to their clients, a few unscrupulous return preparers file false and fraudulent tax returns and ultimately defraud their clients.

It is important to know that even if someone else prepares your return, you are ultimately responsible for all the information on the tax return.

Basically, use common sense.

Beware of IRS Scams and Identity Theft, Former IRS