Tax fraud: Another reason to file your returns early
Tax time is prime time for cyber thieves looking to steal your tax refund by filing a fake return in your name.
Such tax ID theft is booming. In January, the Federal Trade Commission released a report showing a nearly 50 percent jump in identity theft complaints in 2015, owing mostly to a surge in tax refund fraud.
Crooks hook their victims in a number of ways. Two national cyber security groups are offering these tips for staying safe:
File early. The Internal Revenue Service only accepts one tax return per Social Security number, so filing early can shut out criminals.
Guard personal information. Only share your Social Security number when necessary. Shred papers with sensitive information such as birth dates and Social Security and bank account numbers before tossing them in the trash. Check credit reports at least once a year for suspicious activity at www.annualcreditreport.com or by calling 1-877-322-8228. “Personal information is like money. You must value it and protect it,” said Michael Kaiser, executive director at the National Cyber Security Alliance, which, along with the Identity Theft Resource Center, works to educate consumers about ID theft.
Beware of phishing ploys and malware. Cyber thieves use emails, texts, social media posts and fake websites to trick you into divulging personal information. Or they may employ malicious software to hijack your computer
and steal the data. Don’t click on any links or attachments in unsolicited emails or share personal information with someone or a site you don’t know.
Don’t be fooled by imposters. Crooks posing as IRS agents over the phone have been duping people into paying phony tax bills. The Internal Revenue Service doesn’t email or call demanding immediate payment or ask for credit or debit card numbers via email or phone.
Be safe online. Keep security software up to date for computers and mobile devices. Use strong passwords. Avoid transmitting personal information using public wireless networks, which are not secure. When filing tax returns, use secure https sites only.
Anyone who suspects they’ve been victimized in a tax scam should call the IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit at 1-800908-4490. For free assistance from a victim adviser, contact the Identity Theft Resource Center at 1-888-400-5530.