Tax season isn’t fun for most people, but falling for a scam can be downright devastating. This year has seen a notable increase in scam calls impersonating IRS employees, and the rise of AI voice programs is making these scams more convincing than ever.
I.R.S. It flagged 2.4 million tax returns totaling about $13.8 billion in refunds due to potential identity theft. Identity thieves use stolen information such as your girlfriend’s SSN, name, and address to file fraudulent tax returns in your name.
Meanwhile, the Better Business Bureau’s (BBB) Scam Tracker collects reports of tax fraud from the public. For scams reported as tax collections to BBB’s Scam Tracker in 2023, the median loss was $2,100.
Here are some of the scams the BBB is warning you to watch out for this tax season.
A post-it note that says “Tax payment period” is attached to tax documents. (Kurt “Cyber Guy” Knutson)
1. Telephone scam
The scammer pretends to be I.R.S. They will then call you and request a refund or ask you to submit personal information that cannot be found in the IRS system. They often pressure you to act quickly and threaten you with arrest and fines if you don’t comply.
By 2024, phone scammers will be very sophisticated, creating fake badge numbers, obtaining fake caller ID names that appear to be from the government, and using the help of AI voiceovers. They will borrow it and leave official-looking robocalls.
New IRS cracks down on tax fraud by “high income earners” worth hundreds of millions of dollars
2. Phishing email scam
phishing email is a fraudulent email aimed at obtaining personal information. Scammers send messages on text, email, and even social media claiming to be IRS employees and create fake IRS websites aimed at stealing Social Security numbers and other sensitive personal data Send a link to Always remember: The IRS will not contact you by email, but by physical USPS mail.
A person who prepares tax documents. (Kurt “Cyber Guy” Knutson)
3. Signs of tax-related identity theft
1. When you try to file a tax return on mail I received a letter from the IRS stating that they have already received a return in your name. This could mean your identity has been compromised.
2. Also, when filing a final tax return electronically If the IRS warns you that someone used your Social Security number to file your return, you may be a victim of identity theft.
3. Finally, the IRS will give you new online account And you know you didn’t do this, it’s damning proof that your identity may have been stolen.
tax documents. (Kurt “Cyber Guy” Knutson)
Read more: Urgent PayPal email scams you can’t ignore
Stay safe with 8 tips from the Better Business Bureau
Tip 1 – Submit your file early
Filing early is one of the surest ways to protect yourself come tax season.The sooner you file, the less likely someone will be a victim. steal your identity By filing taxes in advance. When you start filing, be sure to have all your tax documents ready.
Tip 2 – Know how the real IRS will contact you.
The IRS does not send emails. Additionally, the employee will not text you or contact you on social media. Typically, the IRS will only contact you by mail, but an IRS officer may visit you in person only after your mail visit has been confirmed.
Tip 3 – Obtain a Personal Information Protection PIN (IP PIN) from the IRS
An easy way to add your own layer of security is to obtain an Identity Protection PIN (IP-PIN) from the IRS. Your IP-PIN is a six-digit number that the IRS uses to verify your identity. It helps identify you even if someone with malicious intent gains access to your tax ID or social security number. Signing up for an IP-PIN is easy and can be done online at IRS.gov. After you opt in each December, the IRS will mail you a new IP-PIN.
Calculator and tax documents. (Kurt “Cyber Guy” Knutson)
More information: Beware of “YES” phone scams
Tip 4 – Know how the IRS accepts your payments
The IRS will never demand immediate payment and will never ask for your credit card number or banking information over the phone. Under no circumstances should you ever pay money to someone claiming to be an IRS employee who requests cryptocurrency. digital gift card or wire transfer.
Tip 5 – Know the signs of a scam
If the IRS notifies you that a return has already been filed or that you receive wages from an employer you don’t know, visit the IRS office in person as soon as possible to make sure you haven’t been victimized. is needed. scam.
Tip 6 – Protect your information
Keep all tax-related documents in a secure location, such as a filing cabinet at home or a password-protected computer. In general, never give out your Social Security number unless absolutely necessary.
Tip 7 – Only use secure submission websites
Always check that the URL is spelled correctly to ensure you are visiting a genuine IRS website. Look for a padlock symbol next to the URL in your browser’s search bar to indicate that your connection to the IRS website is secure.
Tip 8 – Report any suspected fraud
If you receive a call or email asking for important tax information, hang up immediately. First, report the call to her IRS. Next, you must report it to the Federal Communications Commission. Finally, go to the Better Business Bureau and report the scam. Scam tracker.
People who are upset by what they see. (Kurt “Cyber Guy” Knutson)
Read more: How scammers use Google voice verification codes to steal your identity and money
5 things to do if you’re a victim of identity theft
1. Complete IRS Form 14039, Identity Theft Affidavit. This is a form that all victims of fraud must fill out with the IRS. This tells the other person that the person claiming to be you is a scammer. The form is located at: IRS website.
2. Request a copy of your fraudulent tax return from the IRS. You can do this by going to This page on the IRS website About handling fraudulent returns and following the instructions for ordering a copy.
3. Alert your national credit bureau: Report the fraud to a national agency like Experian, Equifax, or TransUnion and freeze your account to prevent scammers from gaining access.
Four. Report the crime to the Federal Trade Commission: The FTC is here to help track down scammers. Your report also helps the FTC keep track of the number of frauds that occur in a given year and improve how it alerts others.You must also report the crime identitytheft.gov
Five. Check your online bank account: Make sure there are no suspicious transactions in any of your accounts.
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A woman gets upset while preparing her taxes. (Kurt “Cyber Guy” Knutson)
More information: Top ways to prevent Social Security number fraud
How can I protect myself from tax-related identity theft?
Use identity theft protection services. Identity theft companies monitor your personal information, such as your social security number (SSN), phone number, and email address, and alert you if it is sold on the dark web or used to open an account. Masu. It can also help freeze bank and credit card accounts to prevent further misuse by criminals.
One of the best things about using some services is that they may include identity theft insurance. Up to $1 million to cover losses and legal costs And the fraud resolution team wearing white gloves, US-based case manager helps you recover your losses. Check out our tips and recommendations on how to protect yourself from identity theft.
Use good antivirus software: The best way to protect yourself from clicking on malicious links that install malware that can access your personal information is to install antivirus protection on all your devices. This can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams. Get my picks for the best antivirus protection products of 2024 for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS devices.
Cart important points
The transition from winter to spring can seem like a hot spot for scammers, as tax season comes right after the holiday shopping season. But in reality, the scammer is active around the clock and all year round. These tips from the Better Business Bureau will help you remember how to protect yourself from scammers year-round.
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