#CyberThreatThursday - Tax Scams

Created by Laurie Fox
Apr 14, 2022
1 min read

Scammers can take advantage of tax season to steal your information, identity, and money. 

Common methods include:

  • Claiming that you must verify information to receive a refund.
  • Claiming that you must send pictures of your driver’s license or other documents to verify your W-2.
  • Claiming that you owe back taxes and should pay in gift cards.

Scammers may also use data breaches of companies you do business with to steal your identity. Look for these warning signs:

  • Attempting to file a tax return and being informed that you already have.
  • Learning that an IRS.gov account has been registered in your name without creating one.

Some ways you can protect yourself include:

  • Avoid sending sensitive information via email.
  • Call the IRS number to verify the official credentials of IRS representatives.
  • Get an Identity Protection PIN.
  • Vist the Identity Theft Central page on the IRS website. (https://www.irs.gov/identity-theft-central)


Originally published April 14, 2022 in Today at Geneseo