How to protect yourself from common scams this tax season
(InvestigateTV) — As tax season kicks off and W-2s begin arriving in mailboxes, consumer experts are warning taxpayers to watch out for scammers posing as tax preparers.
According to the Better Business Bureau (BBB), scammers are actively looking to get their hands on your sensitive documents and hard-earned cash.
“A lot of times we’ll get reports to our scam tracker about people receiving phone calls or emails or text messages from someone claiming to be the IRS, saying that they owe taxes, to click on a link, or to pay them over the phone,” BBB Spokesperson Melanie McGovern said. “And we know that’s not how the IRS conducts business.”
McGovern emphasized that the IRS will never call, text, or email you demanding payment. Any correspondence that urges you to act immediately or claims to resolve all your IRS problems should raise a red flag.
“Anytime you hear an advertisement that claims to do something, and you think to yourself, ‘well, that’d be great. But is that real?’ You want to check them out with BBB,” McGovern said.
McGovern provided some actionable steps to avoid becoming a victim of tax scams:
- File early: Filing your taxes early can prevent scammers from filing under your name and stealing your refund.
“We always encourage people to get your taxes done early. Then you can avoid tax scams and any kind of identity fraud, especially if you’re scrambling at the last minute. You may be a little bit more vulnerable. You may click on a link that isn’t right, you may fall for a phishing scam in your email,” McGovern warned.
- Do Your Research: Before working with a tax preparer, verify their credentials and reputation through trusted sources like the BBB.
- Beware of Red Flags: Be cautious of poor grammar, odd punctuation, and generic greetings in emails or letters claiming to be from the IRS.
If you believe you’ve experienced tax identity theft, take immediate action by:
- Contacting the IRS to report the issue.
- Filing a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
- Using the FTC’s personalized identity theft recovery plan for further assistance.
By staying vigilant and proactive, you can safeguard your personal information and ensure a smooth tax season, McGovern said.
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