During the ninth annual National Tax Security Awareness Week, the IRS and its Security Summit partners want to assist taxpayers in recognizing tax scams and fraud to keep their information safe and out of the hands of identity thieves and scammers. By following these tips, taxpayers can reduce the risk of losing their identity, money or accounts to criminals.
Always protect personal data
If someone is requesting a taxpayer’s personal information – their date of birth, age, address, Social Security number or bank account information – the taxpayer should be cautious. Ask why the information is needed and only provide what’s absolutely necessary. It’s also a good practice not to respond to emailed, texted or other requests but instead to seek out the requestor’s website or to contact them directly.
Shop at reputable retailers
When shopping online, taxpayers should confirm they’re on a reputable and secure retailer’s website and avoid sites with invalid digital certificates. Don’t assume that a web address is legitimate just because it includes “https.” Criminals can purchase valid security certificates and attach them to fraudulent websites.
Use security software
The IRS encourages taxpayers to take the time to ensure all family members have comprehensive anti-virus protection for their digital devices, particularly on shared devices. When a taxpayer stores sensitive files – such as tax records – on a digital device, they should backup and encrypt those files for additional protection.
Choose strong passwords and enable two-factor authentication
Use strong, unique passwords for each account and enable two-factor authentication where possible. Remember to never re-use passwords for online accounts and never share passwords with anyone.
Know the risk of public Wi-Fi
Connection to public Wi-Fi is convenient and often free, but it may not be safe. Criminals can easily steal personal information from these networks. People should always be cautious and use a virtual private network when connecting to public Wi-Fi.
Be aware of compromised accounts
Once a criminal hacks an email or social media account, they may try to scam the victim’s contacts by posing as the victim. Everyone should be suspicious of unusual, out-of-character requests or messages, even when the account belongs to a friend, colleague or family member.
Act fast if identity theft happens
If a taxpayer was targeted by identity theft, they can take action to protect their tax information.