It’s that time of year again – tax time! Unfortunately, as if taxes aren’t confusing enough, scammers often try to use this as an opportunity to steal personal information and hard-earned funds. Below are a couple of common scams to be on the lookout for when doing your taxes this year.
The canceled Social Security number: Even though your social security card cannot be canceled, scammers use a scare tactic to convince people of the contrary. If you receive a phone call or message that claims your social security number will be suspended because of taxes you owe, hang up and call your local law enforcement immediately.
The IRS impersonation e-mail: The IRS will never send unsolicited e-mails, nor will they ask you for your personal information. Despite this, scammers often attempt to trick people through e-mail, claiming to be from the IRS. These messages often remind people to file their taxes, offer falsified information about refunds, or use fraudulent sites to steal personal information and to commit identity theft. The IRS recommends taxpayers not to open these e-mails or any attachments. If using a personal computer, you should delete or forward these e-mails to phishing@irs.gov. If you see this type of e-mail while utilizing an employer's computer, notify your employer immediately.
To learn more about the above scams and others to be aware of, visit IRS.gov or thefraudfighters.org.
