Here's what identity thieves have been doing: They steal a
taxpayer's personal information and use it to file a tax return claiming a refund
under the taxpayer's name. Then when the taxpayer actually files a return, the
IRS won't accept it and notifies the taxpayer that a return under his name and
ID number has already been filed.
The IRS recommends that taxpayers should do the following in
order to avoid becoming an identity theft victim:
* Guard your personal
information. Identity thieves can get your information by stealing your wallet
or purse, going through your trash, or posing as someone who needs your
information for a legitimate reason.
* Watch out for IRS impersonators. Don't fall for phone
calls, faxes, e-mails, or other contacts made by people claiming to be from the
IRS. Don't respond to the message. Don't open any attachments in an e-mail or
click on any links. Do not enter your personal information.
The IRS recommends that you enter "phishing" in
the search box at the top of its website (www.irs.gov) to get more information
on avoiding tax scams. E-mail suspected scams to phishing@irs.gov.
* Protect information on your computer. Protect your tax
information with a password, and once you're finished with your tax data, take
it off your hard drive.
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