Tips: Watch Out For Scams During Tax Season -- Security Today

Tips: Watch Out For Scams During Tax Season

Mar 10, 2008

Tax season is upon us and it presents the perfect opportunity for identity thieves to gain access to important financial information from consumers. IdentityTruth warns that identity thieves could be lurking and ready to steal personal data if not protected.

IdentityTruth has compiled a list of tips that consumers should keep in mind this tax season.

Beware of calls presumably from the IRS: If you receive a phone call from the IRS asking for personal information, hang up because it’s a scam. Fraudsters call asking for your account number and bank routing number to deposit your refund. Armed with that information, they can in fact set up an electronic debit and siphon your account. Call the IRS Taxpayers Advocates to report it.
Beware of phishing e-mails: You may receive e-mails pretending to be from the IRS asking for your personal information. This is a scam. Fraudsters use these “phishing” attempts to solicit personal information for future misuse.
Don’t use online filling programs: Make sure the tax filling software resides on your desktop. The risk with online filling programs is that your sensitive information could find itself on someone else’s servers and could be compromised.
Protect your desktop: Make sure your computer has the latest antivirus and spyware to protect you from invasion. This is even more critical during tax filling time. Your personal information is always for sale in the hands for fraudsters.
Shred personal information: Good old fashion shredding is critical to protecting your personal information.
Secure documents: Keep your personal tax information locked up in a safe place in the event your home is invaded and to prevent loss of the documentation.
Tax preparer and privacy: Make sure you know your tax preparer or accountant well enough to trust him or her with your personal records. Check with the Better Business Bureau to determine creditability. If you suspect something fishy about the person or place, trust your first impressions.

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