Both the holidays, and the approach of the 2025 tax season, kick-off the start of a critical period where there is a heightened risk of identity theft scams and schemes. The IRS strongly cautions taxpayers and tax professionals to take extra steps to protect their financial and tax information.
These scams can come from anywhere including email, text message, social media, and phone calls, and are quickly evolving. Among other schemes, identity thieves try filing false tax returns to steal refunds.
The IRS has been working with Security Summit[1] to create the 9th Annual National Tax Security Awareness Week which took place last week (December 2nd-6th). It featured daily tips and special educational materials. Here’s a peek of the daily tips that they sent out with links to more info:
- Cyber Monday: Beware of phishing as part of online safety
- Tuesday: Don’t fall for schemes, misinformation on social media
- Wednesday: Get an IP PIN and IRS Online Account
- Thursday: Update digital security to protect businesses and customers
- Friday: Tax pros need to maintain heightened awareness
Keep yourself safe these next few months and ALWAYS triple check any communication that asks for sensitive or identifying information.
If you find yourself in a bind with taxes based on a tax-related scam, give us a call so that we can advise and assist you in the best way to recover from the devastating affects of these scams.
[1] https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/security-summit