Dangers of Tax Season: Pretexting and Phishing
Why Tax Season a time to be particularly wary of ID Theft
Tax season is one of the busiest times of the year. People are engrossed with filling up forms and working on important matters related to taxes and the IRS (Internal Revenue Service). Sadly, though, it is also the one of the most convenient seasons for identity stealers because people are willing to do anything just to complete their tax requirements!
Over the years, there have been countless reports about fake IRS websites asking taxpayers to give out confidential information like bank account details. This kind of “imposter” scam is a crime known as pretexting. Pretexting is also dangerous over the phone, when so called “tax experts might call for your private information while pretending to represent financial service companies, the IRS, or tax service companies.
Another big tax season scam is phishing. This is when scam artists send emails, supposedly from the IRS, and asking the taxpayer to fill out a form for a particular service like a refund. However, after the information has been provided, there is no refund and the taxpayer’s has already been stolen!
Stolen identities are normally used for illegal activities like opening a bank account with fake checks or money, obtaining classified information, or entering into shady deals.
So, how can one avoid ID theft during the tax season? Stay away from ID thieves by being conscious of the people you deal with. If you need somebody to help you with filing your income tax, hire somebody who is legally trained. Don’t get too excited about receiving emails from the IRS because they do not send emails. Always verify something before giving out any confidential information. As for fake IRS websites, keep in mind that the IRS is a government agency. Therefore a “gov” extension must be found at the tail-end of its web address or URL.
The best thing to do to avoid ID theft during the busy tax season is to call the IRS or visit their official website at www.irs.gov.
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