With the April 15 tax deadline quickly approaching, Attorney General Jim Hood is reminding Mississippi consumers today to be vigilant about scams and identity theft associated with tax returns.
Identity thieves may attempt to steal a consumer’s personal information and their money using a variety of methods including bogus phone calls or emails. These brazen criminals may even claim to be associated with the IRS, or they may create look-alike emails or websites as part of their deception. Information collected by these types of scammers may be used to file false tax returns under a consumer’s name or Social Security number.
“Some criminals will do whatever it takes to get their hands on someone else’s tax refund money,” Attorney General Hood said. “Consumers should always be cautious about what types of sensitive financial or personal information they are sharing, and they should also be certain that correspondence from the IRS or other agencies is legitimate.”
The IRS has safeguards to protect against fraudulent tax returns and ID theft, but consumers can also help protect themselves by never divulging Social Security, credit card or tax information to anyone who isn't a licensed tax professional or certified financial advisor, or to a legitimate service for e-filing your tax return.
To help you avoid being scammed this tax season, Attorney General Hood has provided you with a list of tax safety tips and urges you to educate yourself about the warning signs of tax scams and schemes:
• BE SUSPICIOUS of any calls or emails purporting to be from the IRS, no matter what the issue. Instead, hang up and call the IRS back at the number you know to be correct. Use caution when opening attachments or downloading files from emails, regardless of the sender. Do not call or text a number left in the message or follow the internet links to a site.
• NEVER confirm your Social Security number or bank account details by email or over the phone.
• GUARD your mail because it’s especially attractive at tax time. Ideally, have your mail delivered to a P.O. Box or purchase a locked mailbox and mail tax returns and sensitive information directly from the post office.
• USE CAUTION when choosing an online tax preparation service. Make sure they are reputable and have adequate security measures in place. Ask important security questions, such as how their information is protected during and after preparation, how long they keep copies of your tax return, and whether they conduct background checks on their employees. Be careful when typing in the URL or web address of an online service. If you misspell the name, you could end up on a fraudulent site that looks like the real one.
• SHRED all unnecessary documents or copies when tax season is over. Dumpster divers will be on the prowl to get your banking account details and SSNs.
• CHECK your credit report immediately after tax time and again a few months later to make sure your personal information wasn't stolen and is not being used against you. Continue to check your credit report on a regular basis.
• ALWAYS keep your anti-virus software up to date to make sure your computer is free of malware like computer viruses and spyware. Use a firewall to help make you invisible on the internet and to block communications from unauthorized sources.
For more educational information on this and other scams, please visit the Consumer Protection Division section of the Attorney General’s website at www.agjimhood.com. Anyone who suspects their personal information has been compromised or thinks they have been a victim of a tax related scam, fraud and identity theft or any other scheme should call the Consumer Protection Division of the Attorney General’s Office for further assistance and guidance at 1-800-281-4418.
