It’s officially tax season! While we prepare our W2s and other documents for our returns, we must also brace for an influx of scammers looking to take advantage of filers during busy tax time.
Here are some of the best ways to protect yourself from tax-related scams:
- Don’t respond to aggressive phone calls. Many scammers will call and pose as Internal Revenue Service (IRS) agents. They call demanding you pay them immediately through wire transfer or gift card or else you’ll be arrested. If you receive one of these calls, remain calm and hang up.
- Watch out for email phishing attacks. Scammers will send fake emails, supposedly from the IRS, that mention a bill or refund that you didn’t expect. They may ask you to send them information like your Social Security number or click on a suspicious link. Simply delete these emails!
- File early. Many fraudsters will use stolen information to file tax returns as soon as possible so that they can claim a refund. The earlier you file, the less of a chance there is for an identity thief to file in your name.
- Verify your tax preparer. Imposters may also pose as tax preparers, charging large fees for their “services” while directing your refund into their accounts. If you decide to hire a tax preparer, ask for references or use someone recommended by a person you trust. You can also find a verified tax preparer by using the Federal Tax Return Preparers directory on irs.treasury.gov.
- Keep an eye on URLs. If you’re filing your taxes online, be cautious and pay attention to the URL in your browser. If the URL seems strange, has misspelled words or an uncommon domain, stay away and don’t input personal information. Common domains are .com or .gov.
If you receive any calls, texts, or emails from someone claiming to be the IRS, do not give them any of your personal information. The IRS will never email you out of the blue, threaten to arrest you or ask for credit or debit card numbers over the phone. Typically, they will mail you a bill first if you owe any taxes.
Report scams to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration by calling 1-800-366-4484 or visiting www.tigta.gov.
