The BBB says scams reappear each tax season with a slightly different spin, but the central theme is the same: scammers posing as the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) attempt to trick people into paying up or sharing personal information.
The best way to avoid tax identity theft is to file your taxes as early as possible.
The BBB advises taxpayers to file before a scammer can use your information to file a fake return. BBB also notes that the IRS doesn't initiate contact with taxpayers by email, text message or social media to request personal or financial information.
If you receive letters or emails claiming to be from the IRS, watch for bad grammar and odd punctuation. That may be a sign the message is a scam.
When filing your taxes online, the BBB advises checking websites carefully and ensuring you access the real IRS website when filing your taxes electronically or inquiring for additional information.
If you are the victim of tax identity theft, contact the IRS at 1-800-908-4490. You should also file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ftc.gov/complaint or by calling 1-877-FTC-HELP.
