With taxes due soon and the IRS’ deadline looming, many consumers are scrambling to get their taxes filed in time. Scammers are also busy this time of year so it’s important to remain vigilant in the practices you use when filing. There are many email scams circulating. These emails, known as phishing, involve the scammers impersonating the IRS or a financial institution in order to gain the victim’s sensitive personal information. Keep these tips in mind as you square up with Uncle Sam this year:
- Any unsolicited email purporting to be from the IRS is likely a scam. If you have filed online, you will receive emails from the eFile website you used confirming that your return has been accepted by the IRS. You will also receive payment confirmation emails from the IRS if you pay your taxes online directly to the IRS thru their Electronic Federal Tax Payment System (EFTPS).
- The IRS will never ask for personal or financial information in an email. Never provide your social security number, bank or credit card information, or security-related information such as your mother’s maiden name in an email or on another website through an email link you were sent.
- Scammers often use bait to get their victims to respond, dangling promises of extra tax refunds or offering payment for participation in an IRS survey. Another tactic involves the use of threats of legal action or withholding of refunds. Remember, the IRS will not communicate with consumers for any of these purposes via email.
- Be cautious when visiting the IRS website. Always go to http://www.irs.gov/ directly rather than follow any email links to the site. There are many phone websites impersonating the IRS, waiting for unsuspecting consumers to enter their personal information. Common scams often try and direct consumers via email to phony IRS sites; remember that an email link’s true website address (URL) is revealed by moving your mouse over the link.
- If you leave your taxes to the professionals, it pays to be choosy when selecting a tax preparer. Unscrupulous tax preparers are making headlines every day for committing tax fraud or identity theft using their client’s information. It’s important to check your preparer’s credentials or licensing. More information on choosing a legitimate tax preparer can be found at http://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc254.html.
For more on tax scams, visit http://www.irs.gov/ for a wealth of resources and information.