A User’s Guide to Safely Filing Your Taxes Online
It’s tax week, and whether you’re filing personal taxes or business taxes, you’re more than likely filing electronically. Electronic filing has become the most popular method of filing, and though it’s convenient, e-filing can make you vulnerable to security threats and ultimately allow cybercriminals to fraudulently collect your refund.
Only recently have we seen a decline in online tax-related fraud reports. According to Accounting Today (click through for the full article) IRS statistics site that the number of tax-related fraud reports dropped from 401,000 in 2016 to 242,000 reports in 2017.
The threats still remain but fortunately, we’ve compiled the latest safety precautions and expert recommendations to protect your sensitive data and your identity online.
How to Reduce Risk While Filing
- Keep your anti-malware software up-to-date
- Use ‘HTTPS’ Everywhere
- Create strong, secure passwords
- Learn to recognize and avoid phishing emails
- Avoid clicking links or downloading attachments from unknown senders.
A Few Recent Email Scam Subject Lines To Look For
“Confirm your personal information”
“Get my IP Pin.”
“Get my E-file Pin.”
“Order a transcript.”
“Complete your tax return information.”
Key Do’s and Don’ts
Click through this infographic shared by Mashable (read full article here) for a recommended list of do’s and don’ts when filing your taxes electronically.
If you are a victim of online tax identity theft, or suspect malicious activity, click through this article by the Internal Revenue Service for a list of recommended steps to report your data breach.
Continue to follow us as we uncover the latest developments in safeguarding your business, yourselves, and your families this winter season.
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