Protect Your Information

 

In an increasingly digital world, safeguarding your personal information is more crucial than ever. Remember, protecting your personal information is not just about preventing identity theft, but also about preserving your peace of mind. At Total Business Care, we are constantly reviewing new content being published regarding the protection of financial information.

Be Aware and Beware of Scams

A new joint effort with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and dozens of organizations across the nation have created a way to combat the growth of scams and schemes threatening taxpayers and tax systems. The cooperative approach of this new task force is called the Coalition Against Scam and Scheme Threats (CASST). “The purpose of the group will be to better protect taxpayers from falling prey to unscrupulous actors by leveraging multilateral relationships across the tax ecosystem to minimize the filing of fraudulent tax returns.” (website source)

Being aware of scams requires vigilance and knowledge about common tactics used by fraudsters. To do this, take steps to protect yourself from fraud and learn some of the common warning signs that you are speaking to someone who is being dishonest with you.

➜ Steps to protect yourself

  1. Stay Informed: Regularly update yourself on the latest scams through trusted sources like government websites, consumer protection agencies, and financial institutions.

  2. Verify Identities: Always confirm the identity of anyone contacting you unexpectedly, especially if they ask for personal or financial information. Use official contact information rather than information provided in the message.

  3. Be Skeptical of Urgency: Scammers often pressure victims to act quickly to avoid missing out or facing consequences. Take time to think and verify before responding.

  4. Protect Personal Information: Never share sensitive data such as Social Security numbers, bank account details, or passwords unless you are certain of the recipient’s legitimacy.

  5. Use Strong, Unique Passwords: Protect your online accounts with strong passwords and change them regularly. Enable two-factor authentication where available.

  6. Beware of Unsolicited Offers: If an offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Be cautious of unexpected emails or calls offering prizes, loans, or investment opportunities.

  7. Check for Secure Websites: When entering personal data online, ensure the website URL starts with "https://" and look for a padlock icon in the address bar.

  8. Monitor Financial Statements: Regularly review your bank and credit card statements for unauthorized transactions and report suspicious activity immediately.

  9. Use Security Software: Install and maintain updated antivirus and anti-malware software on your devices to prevent infections from malicious links or downloads.

  10. Report Scams: If you suspect a scam, report it to the appropriate authorities such as the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), local police, or the Better Business Bureau.

By following these guidelines consistently, you can significantly reduce your risk of falling victim to scams.

➜ Scam warning signs

  1. Unsolicited Contact: Genuine tax authorities do not initiate contact via email, text messages, or social media. Be wary if you receive unexpected calls or messages claiming to be from the IRS or state tax agencies.

  2. Threatening Language: Scammers often use aggressive tactics, threatening arrest, license suspension, or immediate legal action to pressure you into paying or revealing personal information.

  3. Demand for Immediate Payment: Legitimate agencies will not demand instant payment through unusual methods like gift cards, prepaid debit cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency.

  4. Requests for Personal Information: Be cautious if you are asked to provide sensitive information such as Social Security numbers, bank account details, or passwords over the phone or online.

  5. Suspicious Payment Methods: The IRS and most tax agencies do not accept payments via money orders sent through mail or payments instructed to be made to third parties.

  6. Caller ID Spoofing: Scammers may manipulate caller ID to make it appear as if they're calling from an official government number.

  7. Emails with Attachments or Links: Phishing emails are designed to steal your data or infect your computer with malware. Avoid clicking links or downloading attachments from unknown sources.

  8. Promises of Large Refunds: Be skeptical of anyone promising unusually large tax refunds or claiming they can change your tax return regardless of your actual filing status.

  9. Errors and Poor Grammar: Official correspondence tends to be formal and error-free. Misspellings, grammatical mistakes, or awkward phrasing can indicate a scam.

  10. Verification Procedures: Official agencies provide options to verify their identity, such as official websites or callback numbers. If you cannot verify the source, proceed cautiously.

If you suspect a tax scam, report it to the IRS or your state tax agency immediately and consult with a qualified tax professional.

menu_book Read more: For more information about the recognizing scams, you can view this webpage from the IRS: Recognize tax scams and fraud

Scam Types

Here is a list of the different types of scams and what they relate to:

  • Pharming: Computer scam to redirect to fraudulent website

  • Phishing: Internet scam to get personal, sensitive information

  • Smishing: Text messages

  • Vishing: Sharing account information over the phone

➜ What the IRS does and does not do

The IRS will initiate contact with you by:

  • Regular mail

  • Phone (you will receive letters in the mail first)

The IRS will not initiate contact with you by:

  • Email or social media

  • Text messages

For more information on tax scams, you can view this video created by the IRS here or visit https://www.irs.gov/tax-scams-what-to-know-what-to-do.

sticky_note_2 Please note: These are intended to alert the community about various scams and schemes. The following information only provides knowledge of some scams, as there are many others that are circulating.

Tax Scams

Spear phishing is a phishing attempt tailored to a specific organization or business professionals. Cybercriminals impersonate new, potential clients to trick business professionals into responding to their emails. Once the business responds, the scammer sends a malicious attachment or URL that can compromise the business’s computer systems and allow the attacker to access sensitive information. https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/dirty-dozen-tax-scams-for-2025-irs-warns-taxpayers-to-watch-out-for-dangerous-threats

IRS Scams

The IRS and Social Security Scams continue. Here is a link to the IRS website which outlines the different scams and reminds you that the IRS does not initiate contact with taxpayers by email, text, social media or phone calls. https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/tax-scams-consumer-alerts

Here is a list of some of the current scams happening (including, but are not limited to):

  • Unclaimed refunds

  • Employee Retention Credit

  • Pandemic-related emails

  • Unemployment benefits

  • Natural disasters

Intuit Scams

Various scams currently being used along with how to be aware and identify whether requested information is from a reliable source or not.

Here is a list of some of the topics (including, but are not limited to):

  • Customer support

  • False businesses

  • Fake emails

Artificial Intelligence Scams

Scammers are using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to clone voices in order to impersonate people. In some cases, they can sound like loved ones. Scammers get a small audio sample of someone’s voice and are then able to run it through an AI program that can replicate the voice.

Tech Support Scams

Callers want you to believe there is a serious problem with your computer or that you have items ordered for delivery. They ask for payments in ways that are hard to reverse. Here is information from FTC about these types of scams.

Gift Card Scams

No business or government agency will tell you to buy a gift card to pay them. Here are some examples of the ways a scammer will get in touch with you to buy a gift card, common types of gift card scams and what to do if this happens to you.

Debt Relief + Credit Card Scams

Scammers will offer to lower your credit card interest rates or even fix your credit, but that will cost you and ruin your credit.

Money Transfer Scams

There has been an increase in cases of fraud and scams with money transfer companies, like Zelle, with or without authorization given.

Third-Party Banking App Scams

It is important to understand who you are dealing with before turning your money over or sharing personal information. Knowing the characteristics of impostor scams and fake bank websites and apps can help you avoid becoming a victim.

How To Report Scams

Here are some actions to take if you come across any case of fraud or scam.

Robo Call Scams: https://consumercomplaints.fcc.gov/hc/en-us

Identity Theft: https://www.identitytheft.gov/#/

Spam Text Messages: https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/#/

Internal Revenue Service

Scammers claiming to be from the IRS, send an email to: phishing@irs.gov

  • For text messages: Take a screenshot of the message and include the date/time/time zone they received the text message and the phone number that received the text message and attach it to the email.

  • For emails: do not forward the email, but attach a copy of the email that you received instead.

menu_book Read more: For more information about the reporting fake IRS messages, you can view this webpage from the IRS: Report fake IRS, Treasury or tax-related emails and messages

Franchise Tax Board

Typically FTB will contact you by mail several times prior to contacting you directly by phone or in person. FTB does not send text messages asking for personal or financial information or account numbers.

Want to know even more scams to watch out for?

You can read more information regarding scams and fraud on these websites: