Tuesday, December 4, 2018

Tax Tip 2018-186: Don’t take the bait: Here’s how taxpayers can avoid getting caught by a phishing scam

Bookmark and Share

 

IRS.gov Banner
IRS Tax Tips December 4, 2018

Useful Links:

IRS.gov

Help For Hurricane Victims


News Essentials

What's Hot

News Releases

IRS - The Basics

IRS Guidance

Media Contacts

Facts & Figures

Around The Nation

e-News Subscriptions


The Newsroom Topics

Multimedia Center

Noticias en Español

Radio PSAs

Tax Scams/Consumer Alerts

The Tax Gap

Fact Sheets

IRS Tax Tips

Armed Forces

Latest News


IRS Resources

Compliance & Enforcement News

Contact Your Local IRS Office

Filing Your Taxes

Forms & Instructions

Frequently Asked Questions

Taxpayer Advocate Service

Where to File

IRS Social Media

 


Issue Number:    Tax Tip 2018-186


Don't take the bait: Here's how taxpayers can avoid getting caught by a phishing scam

Data thieves don't take a break during the holidays. In fact, the IRS warns taxpayers that the agency is seeing a large increase in bogus email schemes that seek to steal money or tax data.
 
The most common way for cybercriminals to steal money, bank account information, passwords, credit cards and Social Security numbers is to simply ask for them. Every day, people fall victim to phishing scams or phone scams that cost them their time and their cash.

Here are a few steps taxpayers can take to protect against phishing and other email scams. When reading emails, people should:

  • Be vigilant and skeptical. Never open a link or attachment from an unknown or suspicious source. Even if the email is from a known source, the recipient should approach with caution. Cybercrooks are good at acting like trusted businesses, friends and family. This even includes the IRS and others in the tax business.
  • Double check the email address. Thieves may have compromised a friend's email address. They might also be spoofing the address with a slight change in text. For example, using narne@example.com  instead of name@example.com.  Merely changing the "m" to an "r" and "n" can trick people.
  • Remember that the IRS doesn't initiate spontaneous contact with taxpayers by email to ask for personal or financial information. This includes asking for information via text messages and social media channels. The IRS does not call taxpayers with aggressive threats of lawsuits or arrests.
  • Not click on hyperlinks in suspicious emails. When in doubt, users should not use hyperlinks and go directly to the source's main web page. They should also remember that no legitimate business or organization will ask for sensitive financial information by email.
  • Use security software to protect against malware and viruses found in phishing emails. Some security software can help identity suspicious websites that are used by cybercriminals.
  • Use strong passwords to protect online accounts. Experts recommend the use of a passphrase, instead of a password, use a minimum of 10 digits, including letters, numbers and special characters.
  • Use multi-factor authentication when offered. Two-factor authentication means that in addition to entering a username and password, the user must enter a security code This code is usually sent as a text to the user's mobile phone. Even if a thief manages to steal usernames and passwords, it's unlikely the crook would also have a victim's phone.
  • Report phishing scams. Taxpayers can forward suspicious emails to phishing@irs.gov.

More information:
Taxes. Security. Together
Publication 4524, Security Awareness for Taxpayers
Protect Your Clients; Protect Yourself
Tax Security 101 series.

Share this tip on social media -- #IRSTaxTip: Don't take the bait: Here's how taxpayers can avoid getting caught by a phishing scam. https://go.usa.gov/xPFuf

Back to Top

FaceBook Logo     Twitter Logo     LinkedIn Logo     YouTube Logo     IRS2go Logo


Thank you for subscribing to IRS Tax Tips, an IRS e-mail service. For more information on federal taxes please visit IRS.gov.

This message was distributed automatically from the IRS Tax Tips mailing list. Please Do Not Reply To This Message.

 


This email was sent to business.solutions.ve@gmail.com by: Internal Revenue Service (IRS) · Internal Revenue Service · 1111 Constitution Ave. N.W. · Washington DC 20535 GovDelivery logo

No comments:

Post a Comment