Tax Season Identity Theft
The threat of identity theft exists all year long, but increases during tax season when
scammers ramp up attacks. If successful, criminals can open accounts and file fraudulent
tax returns in your name, leaving you on a long, difficult path to recovery.
Avoiding ID theft begins by ensuring that your private information remains private.
That means sharing less on social media and maximizing the security settings of social media accounts, staying alert for phishing attacks that attempt to bait you into clicking on malicious links, and using common sense (you know, like not broadcasting your national ID number on Facebook).
During tax season, remember that tax collectors won’t call you, email you, or text you to ask for a credit card payment for overdue taxes.
Scammers will do anything they can to convince their targets to reveal confidential information, including posing as government entities, co-workers, friends, and family members.
If possible, file your taxes early to get a jump on any criminals that might have obtained your personal information.
And to avoid ID theft all year long, consider placing a freeze on your credit reports, which will prevent anyone from opening accounts in your name.
This article is shared by our partners at The Security Awareness Company, KnowBe4, Inc.
