Right now is the most wonderful time of the year for tax scammers. Everyone has in the back of their minds taxes. Some will be receiving money back and others will be writing out that check to the IRS!
That's how come at this time we're just giving a heads up, a friendly reminder. Do not fall for tax-related phishing attempts — think any kind of communication that asks you to give out personal information or demands a tax payment in any way that’s not an official IRS letter.
According to the IRS, 90% of these phishing attempts start with an email. But fraudsters may also use phone calls or letters sent in the mail. DO NOT FALL FOR IT!
"Phishing Scams" are attempts by scammers to trick you into giving out personal information such as your bank account numbers, passwords and credit card numbers.
It’s understandable that you'll become extremely concern and there's a since of urgency to respond to an email, letter or phone call that claims to be from a government agency like the IRS. But scammers are counting on your quick, panicked response.
Instead, pause before you respond and look for the following red flags to help determine whether the communication you’ve received is a phishing scam.
The email is asking you to click on a link or open an attachment. Phishing emails may include links that send you to legitimate-looking websites or force you to download attachments. But scammers may control the website, and the download may contain malicious software to gain access to your personal information. DO NOT FALL FOR IT!
You’re being asked for payment information. The IRS will never ask for your credit card or bank account number over the phone BEFORE mailing the actual tax bill. If the email, phone call or other communication you’ve received asks you to provide payment information, this is a red flag, especially if you haven’t received a tax bill in the mail from the IRS. DO NOT FALL FOR IT!
The communication says you have to pay a certain way. The IRS will NEVER ask you to pay them with gift cards or prepaid debit cards, and options to make payment with them. DO NOT FALL FOR IT!
The communication has incorrect contact information or payment details. Some scammers send fake letters rather than emails. The IRS lists a few potential signs that they’re fake: Look for incorrect IRS phone numbers. DO NOT FALL FOR IT!
If you’ve received a communication claiming it’s from the IRS and you’re not sure it’s valid, call the IRS help line at 1-800-829-1040. That way you can speak to an authorized IRS representative to verify that it has tried to contact you. Now if you know you owe money, you may want to skip this step 😂😂😂.
You can also register at IRS.gov and check your account balance to see if any payment is due.
And it may be a good idea to monitor your credit reports so if you fall victim to a tax phishing scam, you can be aware of it right away.
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