IRS Warns Tax Pros About Scams During Holidays

The Internal Revenue Service and the Security Summit partners have issued warnings to all taxpayers and tax professionals to beware of scams and identity theft schemes by criminals taking advantage of the combination of holiday shopping, the approaching tax season, and coronavirus concerns.

Here are a few basic steps everyone should remember during the holidays and as the 2021 tax season approaches:

• Use security software for computers and mobile phones – and keep it updated.
• Purchase anti-virus software that has a feature to stop malware, and there is a firewall that can prevent intrusions.
• Phishing scams – like imposter emails, calls, and texts — are the No. 1-way thieves steal personal data. Don’t open links or attachments on suspicious emails. This year, fraud scams related to COVID-19 and the Economic Impact Payment are common.
• Use strong and unique passwords for online accounts.
• Use multi-factor authentication whenever possible. Many email providers and social media sites offer this feature.
• Shop at sites where the web address begins with “HTTPS” – the “s” is for secure communications over the computer network. Also, look for the “padlock” icon in the browser window.
• Don’t shop on unsecured public Wi-Fi in places like a mall.
• At home, secure home Wi-Fis with a password. With more homes connected to the web, secured systems become more important, from wireless printers, wireless door locks to wireless thermometers. These can be access points for identity thieves.
• Back up files on computers and mobile phones. A cloud service or an external hard drive can be used to copy information from computers or phones – providing an important place to recover financial or tax data.
• Working from home? Consider creating a virtual private network (VPN) to securely connect to your workplace.

In addition, security measures include mobile phones – an area that people sometimes can overlook. Thieves have become more adept at compromising mobile phones. Phone users also are more prone to open a scam email from their phone than from their computer.

Taxpayers can check out security recommendations for their specific mobile phone by reviewing the Federal Communications Commission’s Smartphone Security Checker. Since phones are used for shopping and even for doing taxes, remember to make sure phones and tablets are just as secure as computers.

The IRS will not call, text, or email about your Economic Impact Payment or your tax refund. Nor will the IRS call with threats of jail or lawsuits over unpaid taxes. Those are scams.