IRS warns of holiday phishing email scams

WILMINGTON, NC (WECT) – The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and its partners are warning taxpayers about possible holiday shopping scams.

According to a press release, the IRS finds that many scams involve phishing emails designed to trick customers into unknowingly handing over their confidential tax and financial information.

“The holiday shopping season and fast-approaching tax season create a tempting target for identity thieves and scammers,” said IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel. “Taxpayers should be extra careful this holiday season to protect their valuable personal and financial information, whether they are shopping online or clicking on links in emails and other messages. A little extra caution can protect confidential taxpayer information and reduce the risk of identity theft during the upcoming filing season.

Another common scam to watch out for is emails claiming to be from the IRS or other tax industry players. It’s unexpected good news, like a tax refund, but it also involves variations telling people they have a tax bill or they have tax documents to download.

“People need to be extra careful around the holidays and during tax time,” Werfel said. “Identity thieves and tax evaders are crafty and take advantage of what people care about, especially during busy times of year like the holidays. Remember not to click on anything unfamiliar, even if you have just ordered gifts and expect packages to arrive at your doorstep soon. Check again before clicking.

Buyers should follow the following tips:

Buy from online sites whose web addresses begin with the letters “https”: the “s” stands for secure communications. Also look for a padlock icon in the browser window.
Do not shop on unsecured public Wi-Fi in places like a mall or restaurant.
Make sure security software is updated on computers, tablets and mobile phones.
Be vigilant and help protect the devices of family members who may not be tech-savvy, a wide range from young children to the elderly.
Make sure that antivirus software for computers has a feature to stop malware and that a firewall is enabled to prevent intrusions.
Use strong, unique passwords for online accounts.
Use multi-factor authentication whenever possible.