Don't be a victim of identity tax theft! The IRS is helping to protect false tax claims.
by Neal Fisch in attacks, awareness, data security, faculty, personal security, phishing scams, security, spear phishing attack, staff, students, tips 0
One of the hot identity theft scams is submission of false tax returns in order to receive unearned or earned refunds. The IRS has a process to try and detect these false returns. If they suspect a false return they will mail a letter to the address the taxpayer listed in their previous year return. The IRS letter directs the taxpayer to visit an IRS site to verify the tax return submitted. Legitimate letters should direct taxpayers to idverify.irs.gov. More details are contained in this link: http://www.irs.gov/uac/Newsroom/Taxpayers-Receiving-Identity-Verification-Letter-Should-Use-IDVerifyirsgov.
The IRS also has a great website page detailing active tax scams: http://www.irs.gov/uac/Tax-Scams-Consumer-Alerts.
If taxpayers suspect they are a victim of tax fraud/identity theft, they should contact the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration at 1-800-366-4484 or via the web at: http://www.treasury.gov/tigta/contact_report_scam.shtml
Taxpayers can forward scam emails to phishing@irs.gov.
