Email Security: A Guide to Keeping Your Inbox Safe

 

Imagine receiving an email from the IRS that says you owe thousands of dollars in taxes and penalties. The email looks official and urgent, and it asks you to click on a link or open an attachment to resolve the issue. What would you do? Would you panic and comply, or would you delete the email and ignore it? If you choose the latter option, congratulations! You just avoided falling for an IRS tax scam. IRS tax scams target taxpayers and try to steal their personal information, money, or identity.

 

In this article, we will go over the most common types of IRS scams, how to spot them, and what to do if you think you’ve been scammed. We will also cover some tips on how to protect yourself from these scams in the future.

 

If you’re concerned about IRS scams, or if you think you may have been scammed, please read on for more information.

 

Types of IRS Tax Scams

 

Common Scam types:

 

• IRS phishing scams – A scammer attempts to steal your personal information by impersonating the IRS.
• IRS impersonation scams – A scammer pretends to be an IRS agent and threatens you with arrest or the seizure of your assets if you do not pay a supposed tax debt immediately.
• Identity theft scams – A scammer uses your personal information to file a fraudulent tax return or claim a refund.

 

How to Protect Yourself from IRS Tax Scams

 

IRS tax scams can cause serious financial and emotional harm. Scammers may steal your personal information, such as your Social Security number, date of birth, and bank account information. This information can be used to file fraudulent tax returns, open new credit accounts, or take out loans in your name. This can lead to financial losses for you, as well as damage to your credit report. On top of all of this, IRS tax scams can be very stressful and anxiety provoking. Scammers often use threatening language and tactics to scare victims into complying with their demands. This can lead to victims feeling scared, confused, and helpless. In some cases, victims may even experience post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of the scam.

 

• Victims may lose their tax refunds or face delays in receiving them if scammers file fraudulent returns using their information.
• Victims may face penalties or interest charges from the IRS or state tax authorities if scammers underreport their income or claim false deductions or credits using their information.
• Victims may have difficulty applying for loans, mortgages, or other forms of credit if scammers damage their credit scores by opening new accounts or defaulting on existing ones using their information.
• Victims may have to spend a lot of time and money to resolve identity theft issues with the IRS, credit bureaus, banks, and other institutions.
• Victims may suffer from emotional distress, such as fear, anger, frustration, guilt, shame, or depression as a result of being scammed. They may also lose trust in the IRS or other authorities and feel vulnerable or isolated.
• Victims may need professional help to cope with the psychological effects of being scammed. They may also benefit from joining support groups or seeking legal advice.

 

Get an Identity Protection PIN

 

An Identity Protection PIN is a six-digit number that prevents someone else from filing a tax return using your Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number. The Identity Protection PIN is known only to you and the IRS. It helps the IRS to verify your identity when you file your tax return. You will need to enter your Identity Protection PIN on the tax form. The IRS will then compare it with the one they have on file for you. If the two numbers match, the IRS will accept your tax return. If the two numbers don’t match, the IRS will reject your tax return and you will need to file it again.

 

How to get an Identity Protection PIN:

 

• Online – You can request an Identity Protection PIN online through the IRS website. To do this, you will need to create an account on the website and provide your Social Security number, date of birth, and other personal information. Once you have verified your identity, you can request a PIN online.
• By phone – You can request an Identity Protection PIN by phone. To do this, you will need to call the IRS at 1-800-908-4490. The IRS will verify your identity over the phone and then issue you a PIN.
• By mail – You can request an Identity Protection PIN by mail. To do this, you will need to complete Form 15227, Application for an Identity Protection Personal Identification Number, and mail it to the IRS. The IRS will verify your identity and then issue you a PIN.
• If you are a confirmed victim of tax-related identity theft and the IRS has resolved your tax account issues, they will mail you a CP01A Notice with your new Identity Protection PIN each year. You do not need to request a PIN in this case.

 

An identity Protection PIN is an important tool for protecting your identity and preventing tax fraud. If you are concerned about the security of your personal information, you should consider getting one.

 

Be Cautious of Email Messages, Texts, or Calls Claiming to Be from the IRS

 

In today’s digital age, it is important to be cautious of unsolicited emails, texts, or calls claiming to be from government agencies such as the IRS. These messages may be part of phishing scams that try to trick you into providing personal or financial information, or into paying taxes or fees that you do not owe.

 

• The IRS does not initiate contact with taxpayers by email, text messages, or social media channels to request personal or financial information.
• If you receive any unsolicited communication claiming to be from the IRS, do not respond, open attachments, or click on links. Forward the message to phishing@irs.gov and delete the original message.
• If you receive a phone call from someone claiming to be from the IRS, ask for their name, badge number, and callback number. Then call the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration at 1-800-366-4484 to verify their identity and reason for contacting you. If they are legitimate, call them back. Otherwise, report the scam call.
• Be suspicious of any threats or demands for immediate payment. The IRS will always contact you by mail before calling you about unpaid taxes, and will never threaten to arrest you or take legal action against you without due process.

 

If you want to verify what taxes you owe the IRS, you can view your tax account information online at IRS.gov. You can also call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to speak with a representative.

 

By being cautious and informed, you can prevent scammers from taking advantage of you and taking your hard-earned money.

 

Store Your Electronic Tax Files Securely

 

Your tax files are valuable and contain important information that you want to keep safe and secure.

 

How to store your electronic files securely:

 

There are many threats that can compromise your data, such as hackers, malware, or theft. To protect your files from these risks, you need to follow some best practices.

 

Use a strong password. – A strong password is at least 12 characters long and contains a mixture of letters, numbers, and symbols. It is unique and not reused on any other accounts. Also, it’s not based on any personal information, such as your name, birthday, or address.
Use two-factor authentication. – Two-factor authentication is a security feature that requires you to enter a code or use a device in addition to your password when you log in to your account. Using it can help prevent unauthorized access to your files by verifying your identity and making it harder for hackers to break into your account.
Encrypt your files. – Encryption is the process of converting data into an unreadable format that can only be decrypted with a key. This protects your data from unauthorized access, even if it is stolen or lost. You can encrypt your files using a variety of software programs, such as VeraCrypt or BitLocker. It is recommended that you encrypt all of your sensitive data.
Store your files in a secure location. – A secure location is a place where your files are safe from unauthorized access, theft, or loss. This could be a locked cabinet in your home or office, a safe deposit box at a bank, or an encrypted cloud storage service.
Back up your files. – Backing up your files is an important way to protect your data. It is a simple step that can save you a lot of time and hassle if something happens to your computer. There are many ways to back up your files. You can use an external hard drive, a cloud storage service, or even a USB flash drive. Backing up your files can help protect them from accidental deletion, corruption, or loss due to hardware failure, natural disaster, or theft. Backing up your files can also help you recover them in case of a ransomware attack or a virus infection.
Be careful about sharing your files. – This means being mindful of who you share them with and what information you include.
Use antivirus. – Antivirus software can protect your device and files from malicious attacks by detecting and removing viruses and other threats. Install a reputable antivirus program and update it regularly.
Use a firewall. – A firewall is a software or hardware device that monitors and controls the incoming and outgoing network traffic on your computer. It helps to protect your computer from unauthorized access by hackers and malware. Use the built-in firewall on Windows (Windows Security Firewall), or use a third-party firewall to configure policies to control network traffic. Also, make sure that the hardware firewall on your router is turned on.
Delete any unnecessary copies of your tax files. – It is important to delete any unnecessary copies of your tax files to protect your personal information and prevent identity theft. You should only keep the most recent copy of your tax return and any supporting documentation. You can shred or burn any old tax files that you no longer need.

 

How the IRS communicates:

 

Their website – The IRS provides online tools and resources to help taxpayers with various tax-related issues, such as checking their refund status, making payments, applying for an Identity Protection PIN, or getting answers to common questions. The IRS also offers a secure messaging platform for some taxpayers who are under audit to communicate with their IRS agent.
Letters – The IRS will send letters to taxpayers through the US Postal Service. These letters may contain information about your tax return, a bill for taxes owed, or a notice of an audit.
Phone calls – The IRS may call taxpayers to discuss their tax returns or to collect taxes owed. The IRS will never call you to demand immediate payment or threaten to arrest you. Also, they will never ask for your personal information over the phone, such as your Social Security number or bank account information.
Email – The IRS may send emails to taxpayers about their tax returns or to provide information about tax law changes. The IRS will never send you an email with a link to a website where you can enter your personal information.
In-person visits – The IRS may visit taxpayers at their homes or business to discuss their tax returns or to collect taxes owed. The IRS will never visit you without first sending you a letter or calling you to schedule an appointment. If someone shows up at your home or business claiming to be from the IRS and they do not have a letter or appointment, do not let them in. You can call the IRS at 1-800-829-1040 to verify their identity.

 

Protect yourself from scam phone calls:

 

Don’t give out personal information. – The IRS will never call you to ask for your Social Security number, bank account information, or other personal information.
Hang up on suspicious calls. – If you receive a call from someone claiming to be from the IRS and you are unsure if it is legitimate, hang up and call the IRS directly at 1-800-829-1040.
Report suspicious calls. – You can report suspicious calls to the IRS at 1-800-829-1040. You can also report suspicious calls to the Federal Trade Commission at ftc.gov/complaint.
Be aware of red flags. – Some common red flags of IRS scams include the caller being aggressive or threatening, demanding immediate payment, asking for personal information, or offering to settle your tax debt for a fraction of what you owe.

 

Protect yourself from scam emails:

 

Don’t click on links or open attachments. – IRS scam emails often contain links or attachments that can lead to malicious websites or download malware onto your computer.
Don’t provide personal information. – The IRS will never ask for your Social Security number, bank account information, or other personal information via email.
Forward suspicious emails to the IRS. – You can forward suspicious emails to phishing@irs.gov.
Report suspicious emails to the FTC. – You can report suspicious emails to the Federal Trade Commission at ftc.gov/complaint.
Be aware of red flags. – Some common red flags of IRS scam emails include the email being from an unknown sender, containing typos or grammatical errors, being urgent or threatening, asking for personal information, or offering to settle your tax debt for a fraction of what you owe.

 

Protect yourself from scam texts:

 

Be aware of the signs of a scam text. – The IRS does not send text messages asking for personal or financial information, or requesting payment by a specific method such as a prepaid debit card or wire transfer. Scam texts may have spelling or grammar errors, fake or spoofed phone numbers, urgent or threatening messages, be from an unknown sender, links to phishing sites, or offers to settle your tax debt for a fraction of what you owe.
Do not respond, open attachments, or click on links in any suspicious texts. – These actions may expose you to malware or phishing sites that can steal your information or infect your device.
Report the scam text to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration using their IRS Impersonation Scam Reporting form or by calling 800-366-4484. – When you report a scam text to Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration, you will be helping them to investigate and stop scammers. You may also be helping to protect other people from becoming victims.
Protect your personal and financial information. – Do not share your Social Security number, bank account information, or other sensitive data with anyone you do not trust. Use strong passwords and security software to protect your devices and online accounts.

 

How to verify whether it is really a communication from the IRS or not:

 

Email – If you receive an email claiming to be from the IRS, check the sender’s email address. Legitimate emails from the IRS will always come from an email address ending in “@irs.gov”. You can also check the security of the email by clicking the three dots in the top-right corner of any suspicious email and clicking on “Show Original” to see each of the security checks and whether the email has passed or failed. The IRS will never initiate contact with taxpayers via email, text messages or social media to request personal or financial information, so be wary of any unsolicited emails asking for this information.
Calls – The IRS will never call you demanding immediate payment, nor will they call about taxes owed without first mailing you a bill. If you receive a call from someone claiming to be from the IRS, ask for their name and badge number, and call the IRS directly at 800-829-1040 to verify the authenticity of the call. Be aware of scammers who may use Caller ID spoofing to make it appear as if the call is coming from the IRS.
Text messages – The IRS does not initiate contact with taxpayers via text messages, so be wary of any unsolicited texts claiming to be from the IRS. If you receive a text claiming to be from the IRS, do not reply or click on any links in the message.

 

By taking these precautions, you can help protect yourself from scams and fraudulent communications claiming to be from the IRS.

 

If you fall victim to an IRS tax scam, you should:

 

Report the scam to the IRS. – You can do this by calling 800-366-4484 or by visiting the IRS website.
Take steps to minimize the damage and recover. This may include changing your passwords, monitoring your credit report, and freezing your credit.
Contact your bank or credit card company. If you provided your financial information to the scammer, you should contact your bank or credit card company to let them know.
File a police report. This will help document the scam and may help law enforcement catch the scammers.

 

It is important to act quickly if you think you have been scammed. The sooner you take action, the less damage the scammers can do.

 

IRS tax scams are a serious problem that can have devastating consequences for victims. However, there are steps you can take to protect yourself from these scams. By being aware of the red flags, not giving out your personal information, and reporting scams to the IRS, you can help keep yourself safe from these criminals.

 

Please share this information with your friends and family so that they can also protect themselves from IRS tax scams. Together, we can help stop these scammers from taking advantage of innocent people.