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ADOR: Taxpayers beware Identity Theft scams during tax season

Sedona AZThe Arizona Department of Revenue (ADOR) treats detecting and stopping fraud with paramount importance and reminds taxpayers that tax filing season is a time to be aware of identity thieves looking for ways to commit tax fraud.

ADOR points to phishing schemes, card-skimming devices, unsecure Wi-Fi networks, data breaches, computer viruses, unsafe smartphone apps, and hacking email accounts as ways identities are stolen.

Tips to help prevent being the victim of identity theft:

1- Do not carry identification with your Social Security Number (SSN) on it.
2- If someone wants your SSN, always ask why because it is not always required.
3-  Keep personal and confidential information in a secure place.
4- Take extra precautions when discarding personal or confidential information.
5- Protect personal computers, smartphones, and other devices by using antivirus software.
6- Use strong passwords and never share your passwords.
7- Never give personal information through unencrypted email, social media, or text messaging.

One scam that targets companies and continues to be reported is the W-2 Scam: The W-2 Scam is a phishing email sent to someone in a company’s Human Resources or Payroll office that appears to originate from an executive of that business, and asks that payroll information containing confidential information be emailed immediately.

The Arizona Department of Revenue advises staff to never respond to the email, and instead, connect with the person whose name is on the email by phone or in person to confirm its authenticity.

3 Comments

  1. Max says:

    Good advice.

  2. Jim, VOC says:

    Read about the Roseville CA taxi driver that kept his 92 yr old female passenger safe from being robbed of $26,000 by the IRS scam!! She asked him to take her to her bank, they struck up a conversation, when he heard what she intended to do after receiving a call from the IRS to pay delinquent taxes, he begged her to talk to police because it seemed like fraud, she refused, he persisted and she relinquished, so he went to police station and got a police officer to talk to her, the police came to the car and convinced her, and the taxi driver received $50 reward for his effort on her behalf. This man is a righteous man, may he be blessed. It’s a good lesson for us all.

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