IR-2018-238, December 3, 2018
WASHINGTON ― With the holiday shopping season in full swing, the Internal Revenue Service and Security Summit partners warn taxpayers to take extra steps to protect their tax and financial data from identity thieves.
The holidays offer cybercriminals a chance to steal financial account information, Social Security numbers, credit card information and other sensitive data to help them file a fraudulent tax return in 2019.
The Internal Revenue Service, state tax agencies and the tax community, partners in the Security Summit, are marking “National Tax Security Awareness Week” Dec. 3 -7, with a series of reminders to taxpayers and tax professionals. In part one, the topic is online shopping.
“With tax season quickly approaching, people should be extra careful during the holidays to protect their sensitive tax and financial data,” said IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig. “Taking a few simple steps can protect this valuable information and help prevent someone from stealing a tax refund. Taxpayers guarding their information also helps strengthen protections against identity thieves taken by the IRS, the states and the tax industry.”
In part one of a weeklong series of tips, the Summit partners warn people shopping online or in public places to remember a few basic tips that can go a long way to protecting their identity and personal information. This is part of the Summit’s “Taxes.Security.Together.” campaign.
Cybercriminals seek to turn stolen data into quick cash, either by draining financial accounts, charging credit cards, creating new credit accounts or even using stolen identities to file a fraudulent tax return for a refund.
Here are seven steps to help with online safety and protecting tax returns and refunds:
The IRS, state tax agencies and the tax industry are committed to working together to fight against tax-related identity theft and to protect taxpayers. But the Security Summit needs help. With the steps listed above, people can take steps to protect themselves online.
Taxpayers can also visit the “Taxes. Security. Together.” awareness campaign or review Publication 4524, Security Awareness for Taxpayers, to see what can be done. Tax professionals can also get more information through the Protect Your Clients; Protect Yourself campaign as well as the Tax Security 101 series. https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-security-summit-partners-warn-public-its-shopping-season-for-identity-thieves-too-tax-security-awareness-week-offers-tips
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