“Update your account now.” “You just won a cruise!”
“The IRS has a refund waiting for you.”
In the cyber world of phishing, the sentences are
“bait” – lures from emails, telephone calls and texts all designed to separate
you from your cash, your passwords, your social security number or your very
identity.
The IRS has teamed up with state revenue departments
and the tax industry to make sure you understand the dangers to your personal
and financial data. Taxes. Security. Together. Working in partnership with you,
we can make a difference.
No doubt you’ve heard that warning to beware of
phishing many times. But, phishing remains a problem because it works.
Cybercriminals on a daily basis concoct new ways to trick people into turning
over cash or sensitive data that can affect your taxes.
When it comes to this type of crime, the main line of
defense is not technology, it is you.
Criminals pose as a person or organization you trust
and/or recognize. They may hack a friend’s email account and send mass emails
under their name. They may pose as your bank, credit card company or tax
software provider. Or, they may pose as a state, local or federal agency such
as the Internal Revenue Service or a state agency. Criminals go to great
lengths to create websites that appear legitimate but contain phony log-in
pages.
Just remember: No legitimate organization – not your
bank, not your tax software company, not the IRS – will ever ask for sensitive
information through unsecured methods such as emails. And the IRS never sends
unsolicited emails or makes calls with threats of lawsuits or jail.
Scam emails and websites also can infect your computer
with malware without you even knowing it. The malware can give the criminal
access to your device, enabling them to access all your sensitive files or
track your keyboard strokes, exposing login information.
Here are a few simple steps you can take to protect
yourself:
·
Avoid
suspicious phishing emails that appear to be from the IRS or other companies;
do not click on the links- go directly to their websites instead.
·
Beware of
phishing scams asking you to update or verify your accounts.
·
To avoid
malware, don’t open attachments in emails unless you know who sent it and what
it contains.
·
Download
and install software only from websites you know and trust.
·
Use
security software to block pop-up ads, which can contain viruses.
·
Ensure
your family understands safe online and computer habits.
To learn additional steps you can take to protect your
personal and financial data, visit Taxes. Security. Together. You also can read Publication 4524, Security Awareness for Taxpayers.
Each and every taxpayer has a set of fundamental
rights they should be aware of when dealing with the IRS. These are yourTaxpayer Bill of Rights. Explore your rights and our obligations to protect
them on IRS.gov.
Additional
IRS Resources:
·
IR-2015-129, IRS, States and Tax Industry Announce New Steps to
Help Public to Protect Personal Tax Data
·
Fact Sheet 2015-23, IRS, States and Industry Partners Provide Update on
Collaborative Fight Against Tax-Related Identity Theft
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