Tips for Keeping Your Identity Safe During Tax Season

Tips for keeping your identity safe during tax season 3,000+ IRS EMPLOYEES dedicated to identity theft crimes 3x MORE IRS fraud investigations 60% of taxpayers will use tax professionals 2011-2012 W2 20 BILLION In fraud refunds -2012 The IRS compiles an annual list of scams that peak durin tax season Here are some tax scams to look out for Phishing emails: The IRS does not initiate contact with taxpayers by email to request Long lost twin: If your SSN is stolen, the thief may report income earned by them to the IRS using your info. personal or financial information. Shady tax preparers have been known to skim off their clients' refunds, charge Bogus websites: The only true IRS website is 'www.irs.gov inflated fees,and attract new clients by promising guaranteed or inflated refunds. Two W2s: A letter stating you received wages from an unknown employer. W2 IRS impersonation: All avenues of media are used for IRS schemes during tax season. E-mail, phone, websites, even tweets! Identity thieves get your personal information by many different means, including: WALLET/PURSE PHONE TRASH UNSECURE WEB SITES Minimize the chance of becoming a victim: Do's Check your credit report every 12 850 Use a strong password if filing your taxes electronically and save the months. Secure personal information in files to a CD or flash drive and your home. store in a secure location. Always shred fnancial documenty A Delete personal return information from your hard drive. such as credit card offers, bank statementy and pay sstubs, never throw them in the trash. Dont's Protect your personal computers by using firewalls, anti-spam/virus software, and update security Don't carry your Social Security Ah card or any document(s) with patches. your SSN on it. Choose carefuly when hiring a tax preparer. While most are honest, there are some who prey on their clients. Don't give personal information over the phone, through the mail, or email. Be alert to possible identity theft if you receive an IRS notice or letter that states that: 1 More than one tax return for you was filed. You have a balance due, refund offset or have had collection actions taken against you for a year you did not file a tax return. IRS records indicate you received wages from an employer unknown 3. to you. If you think you're a victim of identity theft visit: http://www.irs.gov/uac/ldentity-Protection Source: http://www.irs.gov/uac/ldentity-Protection IDENTITY GUARD. INTERSECTIONS INC. оЯ