How to Make Sure Someone Doesn't Steal Your Tax Refund

Americans taxpayers are too lax about identity theft, according to CyberScout.

A survey conducted by the data security and identity protection firm found more than half of Americans aren’t worried about tax fraud, despite federal reports showing identity thieves filed 787,000 fraudulent returns in 2016, which adds up to more than $4 billion in fraud.

The survey also found that only 35% of taxpayers ask their preparers to use two-factor authentication (which is stronger than a single password) to protect their information. On top of that, only 18% use an encrypted USB drive to save tax documents that contain sensitive information. When it comes to choosing a tax preparer, 50% of respondents said they chose their tax preparers online, didn’t screen them beforehand or weren't sure how to evaluate a tax preparer at all. CyberScout said this puts consumers at risk of getting scammed. Finally, more than half (51%) of taxpayers expecting refund checks in the mail don’t use a locked mailbox.

These findings come from a nationally representative survey of more than 1,500 Americans aged 18 and over commissioned by CyberScout, using Google Consumer Survey.

“In tax season, it is crucial that everyone remain vigilant and on high alert to avoid tax-related identity theft or phishing schemes,” said Adam Levin, founder and chairman of CyberScout and author of "Swiped." Levin is also the co-founder of Credit.com.

How Taxpayers Can Protect Themselves

Tax season is one of the busiest times for identity thieves, but there are steps taxpayers can take to protect themselves. Here's what CyberScout recommends:

• Use a password-protected Wi-Fi connection when filing your taxes. Use a long and complex password — not just for your Wi-Fi but also for any accounts you're using during the tax-filing process.
• Get your return via direct deposit. If you must receive a return check via mail, have it sent to a locked mailbox.
• Ask your tax preparer to use two-factor authentication to protect your documents and personal information.
• Use an encrypted USB drive to save sensitive tax documents.
• Never give information to anyone who contacts you by phone or online claiming to be from the IRS. The IRS will never contact you this way.
• Monitor your accounts and online identity for any signs that your identity has been stolen. For example, if you see a sudden, unexpected change in your credit scores, it could indicate your identity has been stolen. You can easily get a look at your credit by using our free credit report snapshot, which is updated every 14 days.

The IRS also keeps taxpayers updated on the latest scams on its website. In most cases, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. You can find some more tips for avoiding common tax scams here.

Image: jacoblund 

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