By Scott Stevenson, CEO of Eliminate ID Theft
Lets face it: Filing taxes can be confusing, no matter how you look at it. The stimulus payments just add to the complexity of the task. People don’t know whether the stimulus checks they received in 2008 are taxed, and about 15 percent of those who already submitted their tax returns have made “recovery rebate credit†mistakes. To make matters worse, thieves and fraud artists are capitalizing on this chaos by scamming unsuspecting taxpayers into revealing their financial information and using it to steal their identity.
With the tax code and stimulus checks and the poor economy, we are entering uncharted territory as it relates to exposure to identity theft crimes. I can equip you with the valuable information you need to protect your identity and prevent what’s intended as a positive thing—the stimulus checks—from turning into a disaster. Below, are some tips for avoiding tax return/stimulus check scams.
Filing Taxes Online:
– Make sure both your work and home computers have updated firewall, anti-spyware and antivirus programs to protect them from hackers seeking your information.
– Choose a tax-filing service you’re familiar with, preferably one that’s listed as approved on www.irs.gov/efile. Also make sure the Web site is encrypted.
– Beware of phony e-mails that appear to be from the IRS. These are often phishing scams intended to gather personal and financial information. If you receive a message like this, do not open it. Immediately forward it to [email protected]. This message can contain viruses harmful to your computer, or simply be a phishing scam. Not only can the information be used to steal personal and financial information, but it could also provide a thief with all they need to intercept your economic stimulus check or even to steal your identity.
– Change your computer password often, especially this time of year.
Filing Taxes By Mail:
– If you hire someone to do your taxes for you, be sure to check their credentials and references to make sure they are reputable.
– Be aware that W-2s and all documents containing sensitive information should arrive by mail by March 2. If you haven’t received them by then, contact the IRS at 800.829.1040, as they may have been stolen.
– When you mail the completed forms in, wrap them in an extra sheet of paper to ensure they’re not visible through the envelope.
– Mail these forms directly from the post office; a raised mailbox flag alerts thieves to outgoing checks.
How can you tell if your information has been compromised?
Look for:
– More than one return was filed in your Social Security Number
– Your notice indicates that you received wages from an employer unknown to you
If you suspect Fraud:
– Respond only to the name, address, and number printed on the IRS notice.
– Notify the IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit by calling 800-908-4490.
– Report the fraud by calling the FTC identity theft hotline at 877-438-4338.
For more information or to trust your safety to the experts, contact Eliminate ID Theft at www.eliminateidtheft.com.