The IRS has kicked off its annual "Dirty Dozen" list of tax scams by warning taxpayers about the ongoing threat of internet "phishing" schemes, according to www.irs.gov.
The IRS warned taxpayers, businesses and tax professionals to be alert to fake emails text messages, websites and social media attempts to steal personal information. These attempts often increase during tax season and remain a major identity theft threat.
Compiled annually by the IRS, the "Dirty Dozen" lists a variety of common scams that taxpayers may encounter any time during the year, but many of these schemes peak during filing season as people prepare their tax returns or seek help from tax professionals.
To help protect taxpayers, the IRS is highlighting each of these scams on 12 consecutive weekdays to help raise awareness. The IRS also urges taxpayers to help protect themselves against identity theft by reviewing safety tips prepared by the Security Summit, a collaborative effort between the IRS, state revenue departments and the private-sector tax community.
"Taxpayers should be on constant guard for these phishing schemes, which can be tricky and cleverly disguised to look like it's the IRS," says IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig. "Watch out for emails and other scams posing as the IRS, promising a big refund or personally threatening people. Don't open attachments and click on links in emails. Don't fall victim to phishing or other common scams."
For more information about new phishing schemes and how to respond, click here.
