{"id":141826,"date":"2022-03-10T09:52:37","date_gmt":"2022-03-10T17:52:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mcafee.com\/blogs\/?p=141826"},"modified":"2023-02-09T14:25:51","modified_gmt":"2023-02-09T22:25:51","slug":"the-irs-dirty-dozen-top-tax-season-scams-to-steer-clear-of-this-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mcafee.com\/blogs\/internet-security\/the-irs-dirty-dozen-top-tax-season-scams-to-steer-clear-of-this-year\/","title":{"rendered":"The IRS \u201cDirty Dozen\u201d \u2013 Top Tax Season Scams to Steer Clear of This Year"},"content":{"rendered":"

Who loves tax season besides accountants? Scammers.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Emotions can run high during tax time. Even if you\u2019re pretty sure you did everything right, you may still have a few doubts kicking around. <\/span>Did I file correctly<\/span><\/i>? <\/span>Did I claim the right deductions<\/span><\/i>? <\/span>Will I get audited<\/span><\/i>? As it turns out, these are the very same anxieties that criminals use as the cornerstone of their attacks.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

So yes, crooks indeed love tax season. Particularly online. And they\u2019ll bait your digital world with several proven types of scams in an effort to cash in on what can be a somewhat uncertain time.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The good news is that you have plenty of ways to protect yourself from these scams. Let\u2019s look at what scammers typically have in store, along with some practical advice to protect yourself as you file your taxes\u2014things you can do to keep crooks out of your business this tax season. <\/span>Don\u2019t delay, download McAfee\u2019s tax season security guide<\/a> to avoid the latest tax scams.<\/p>\n

The tax scam landscape<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

First, know that you\u2019re probably doing a good job with your taxes. <\/span>Less than 2% of returns get audited<\/span><\/a> and most discrepancies or adjustments can get handled easily if you address them promptly.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Still, the wariness of the IRS and intricate tax laws makes for ripe pickings when it comes to hackers, who prey on people\u2019s fear of audits and penalties. Common scams include fake emails, phone calls from crooks posing as IRS agents, and even <\/span>robocalls<\/span><\/a> that threaten jail time.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What are crooks looking to do with their scams? Several things:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

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  1. Steal account information \u2013<\/span><\/b> Scammers will often try to highjack account or financial information associated with credit cards and banks to steal funds and make purchases with the victim\u2019s accounts.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. File false returns \u2013<\/span><\/b> Scammers will also try and get their hands on personal information like Social Security Numbers, taxpayer ID numbers, and other unique information so that they can file false returns in the victim\u2019s name and claim their refunds.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. Commit identity theft \u2013<\/span><\/b> Scammers may then use this same personal information to open new credit lines and accounts in the victim\u2019s name, as well as commit other forms of identity theft like assuming a victim\u2019s identity to gain employment, housing, insurance, or a driver\u2019s license.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    As if we didn\u2019t have enough to worry about at tax time without crooks in the mix.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    The IRS <\/span><\/b>Dirty Dozen<\/span><\/i><\/b>: 12 tax-season scams<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

    Investigating the landscape even more closely, we can turn to the authority itself, as <\/span>the IRS has published its most recent top 12 tax season scams<\/span><\/a>, a broad list that includes:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n
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    • Phishing attacks\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/li>\n
    • Fake charities\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/li>\n
    • Threatening impersonator phone calls\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/li>\n
    • Social media fraud\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/li>\n
    • Refund Theft\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/li>\n
    • Senior Fraud\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n
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