Tips on Basic Online Security & Identifying Tax Related Email Scams

Start by knowing that the IRS or software vendor will never ask you for your personal information and security questions via email. Please take some time to read our online information security tips below. 

Always be suspicious of unexpected emails, even if it appears to come from a legitimate source.  Triple check emails before ever opening/downloading an attachment or clicking a link in an email.

Do NOT open any attachments or click on any links in a suspicious email. Don’t do it just see what happens. That’s how tax email scams hack their way to your information.

B you respond to the email, call the supposed organization listed in the email. Do not use the phone number in the email.

Click reply and check the reply email address. This can show the real perpetrator.

Keep an eye on grammar. Usually, a tax phishing email is poorly worded and lacks basic grammar usage.

Be sure to report any phishing emails by clicking on your email options and selecting the “Report Phishing” option.

Do not use the same password for everything. When creating passwords, use a combination of letters, upper and lower case, numbers and special characters.