News, Security

Tax Season and Tax Fraud Season

tax fraud copySource: StaySafe Online Organization

The closer we get to April 15, the more we’ll be scampering around collecting receipts and crunching the numbers in hopes of receiving tax refunds. At the same time, cybercriminals and scammers will be working on ways to separate people from their hard-earned money. It has been reported that more than 360,000 individuals had been targeted by tax scammers since 2013. These tax cybercrimes include tax identity theft, phone scams and phishing. For more information continue to read Tax Season is also Cyber-Crime Season

How can you help protect yourself?

  • File your taxes as early as possible; this is one way to avoid ID theft and a good way to get your refund in a timely fashion.
  • Get two steps ahead and use multi-factor authentication whenever it’s available. Multi-factor authentication, or two-step verification as it is sometimes called, requires an additional step, such as an SMS text to your phone with a one-time code that’s entered after you enter your username and password for an online account. Check with your online tax preparation service to see if it offers multi-factor authentication (it’s usually free, but you need to opt in). It’s good to enable two-step verification on your email account as well, since it’s a core account — if hacked, cybercriminals can easily access other accounts.
  • When in doubt, throw it out. If you have any doubt about the authenticity of any message you receive over email, text or social media, delete it.
  • Hang up on the bad guys. In the vast majority of cases, if the IRS has identified a problem, it will contact you first by mail. The IRS will never request payment by wire transfer, credit card or prepaid debit card.

The IRS’s help page is http://www.irs.gov/Help-&-Resources

Remember to always STOP. THINK. CONNECT.: take security precautions, understand the potential consequences of your actions and behaviors and connect and enjoy the Internet.

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