IRS Guides Taxpayers to Avoid Online Scammers

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has called on taxpayers to be extra vigilant of scammers and guard against identity theft, especially during tax-paying time. To assist taxpayers, the IRS has included online security steps in its sixth release of Tax Time Guide, a series of 10 IRS tax tips.

Safety measures include being careful about sharing sensitive details via email or unencrypted websites, being aware of phishing scams, avoiding suspicious links or attachments, and strengthening passwords.

IRS Commissioner John Koskinen says: "The IRS works year-round to protect taxpayers against scams and identity theft … but we can't do this alone. Taxpayers can do their part by taking certain precautions to stay ahead of these would-be con artists."

The guide also stresses the importance of security software on all connected devices and advises taxpayers to avoid downloading this software from pop-up ads. Children should be warned about malicious emails or links; important federal and state tax returns, and other tax documents, should be backed up.

Additional security tips are available on Taxes. Security. Together. and Publication 4524, Security Awareness for Taxpayers.

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