{"id":94213,"date":"2019-02-23T07:00:54","date_gmt":"2019-02-23T15:00:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/securingtomorrow.mcafee.com\/?p=94213"},"modified":"2025-05-07T00:27:26","modified_gmt":"2025-05-07T07:27:26","slug":"dont-take-the-bait-how-to-steer-clear-of-tax-time-scams","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mcafee.com\/blogs\/family-safety\/dont-take-the-bait-how-to-steer-clear-of-tax-time-scams\/","title":{"rendered":"Don’t Take the Bait! How to Steer Clear of Tax Time Scams"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"taxFor cybercriminals tax time is the most wonderful time of the year. They are in the shadows giddy, eager, and methodically setting a variety of digital traps knowing that enough taxpayers take the bait to render their efforts worthwhile.<\/p>\n

Indeed, with the frenzy of online tax filings, personal information (and money) moving through mailboxes, and hardworking people eagerly awaiting tax refunds, crooks are perfectly positioned for big returns this year.<\/p>\n

So let’s be wiser and let’s be ready.<\/p>\n

Last year, the IRS noted a 60 percent spike in\u00a0bogus email schemes\u00a0seeking to steal money or tax information.\u00a0This year its a surge in\u00a0phishing scams<\/a>, says the IRS, that should have taxpayers on alert.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe holidays and tax season present great opportunities for scam artists to try stealing valuable information through fake emails,\u201d said IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig. \u201cWatch your inbox for these sophisticated schemes that try to fool you into thinking they\u2019re from the IRS or our partners in the tax community. Taking a few simple steps can protect yourself during the holiday season and at tax time.\u201d<\/p>\n

Scams to Look For<\/strong><\/h2>\n

According to the IRS, phishing emails<\/strong> are circulating with subjects such as \u201cIRS Important Notice,\u201d \u201cIRS Taxpayer Notice\u201d and other iterations of that message. The fraudulent emails may demand payment with the threat of seizing the recipient\u2019s tax refund or even jail time.<\/p>\n

\"tax<\/p>\n

Attacks may also use email or malicious links<\/strong>\u00a0to solicit tax or financial information by posing as a trustworthy organization or even a personal friend or business associate of the recipient.<\/p>\n

While some emails may have obvious spelling errors or grammar mistakes, some scammers have gone to great lengths to piece together a victim’s personal information to gain their trust. These emails look legitimate, have an authentic tone, and are crafted to get even skeptics to compromise personal data using malicious web links.<\/p>\n

Scams include emails with hyperlinks that take users to a fake site or PDF attachments that may download malware or viruses designed to grab sensitive information off your devices. With the right data in hand such as a social security number, crooks can file fake returns and claim your tax return, open credit cards, or run up medical bills.<\/p>\n

Other tax scams include threatening phone calls<\/strong> from bogus IRS agents demanding immediate payment of past due tax bills and\u00a0robocalls<\/strong> that leave urgent callback messages designed to scare victims into immediate payment.<\/p>\n

Remember, the IRS will NOT:<\/strong><\/p>\n