It’s tax time. It is also peak time for tax fraud. Each year, the
Internal Revenue Service (IRS) posts a list of
current reported tax scams. Tax fraud through the use of identity theft tops
this year’s list of scams. Through email phishing, the thief acquires your
taxpayer’s identity so to fraudulently file a tax return and claim the refund. The IRS has a special section dedicated to identity
theft issues, including YouTube videos, tips for taxpayers and an assistance
guide.
On IRS.gov, you can confirm your tax return
status. If you have not already filed, there should be no record of the
return. If you find that not to be the case, send an Identify Theft Affidavit
to the IRS immediately.
If you believe you are at risk of identity theft due to lost or
stolen personal information, contact the IRS Identity Protection Specialized
Unit at 800-908-4490 so they can take action to secure your tax account.
Remember: The IRS never initiates contact with taxpayers by email
or text messages to request personal or financial information.
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