The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is once again reminding taxpayers to stay vigilant against scams, especially during the busy Christmas season. This warning comes as the 9th annual National Tax Security Awareness Week begins.
The IRS has emphasized that scams remain a major threat as fraudsters attempt to steal taxpayers’ personal and financial information. Many of these scams are designed to target IRS tax refunds, and thousands of taxpayers fall victim to these schemes every month.
To help protect yourself during the holidays, the IRS has shared useful tips for staying safe online and avoiding scams.
Simple Tips to Stay Safe from Scammers
- Only shop at online websites with addresses that start with “https:”. Websites without the “s” are not secure.
- Look for a padlock icon in the website address bar to ensure a site is safe.
- Avoid making purchases while connected to public Wi-Fi networks, such as those in stores or shopping malls.
- Regularly update all your devices, including tablets, laptops, and smartphones, to fix security vulnerabilities.
- Teach children and older adults about online safety, as they may not be as tech-savvy.
- Enable firewalls on all your devices to block unauthorized access.
- Install reliable anti-virus software on your computer to protect against malware.
- Use strong, unique passwords for every online account.
- Take advantage of multi-factor authentication for added security whenever it’s available.
Common Holiday Scams to Watch Out For
Scammers are always making their tricks better, which makes it harder for many people to spot their traps. Phishing emails are one of the most common sources of danger. If you click on these fake messages that look like they are from the IRS, bad things will happen.
Taxpayers are strongly told by the IRS not to open emails from people they do not know, even if the emails look like they have something to do with the IRS.
Instead, go to the IRS office near you or check your account online. By clicking on links you do not know, you could get malware or have your identity stolen.
It is not enough for scammers to get your tax information. They also want to get your passwords, Social Security numbers, bank account information, and credit card numbers. They use the stolen information to commit fraud and other crimes, which costs victims money and gets them in trouble with the law.
Stay Safe and Informed
The IRS wants all taxpayers to remember to be careful and take action to avoid falling for scams. With Christmas shopping in full swing and online shopping at its peak, it is more important than ever to be safe. Do what the IRS tells you to do, and if you have any doubts about a message or request, call the IRS.
These steps could help keep your personal and financial data safe during the busiest and happiest time of the year.
Learn about scams, stay safe, and have a scam-free holiday season!
