A warning as many people in the country are falling on some tough times financially: Scammers could be targeting your tax information.
Angie Barnett, of the BBB of Greater Maryland, told 11 News about tax-related scams and what you need to know so you don’t become a victim.
It’s just about tax time and if the paperwork, details and prep work isn’t stressful enough, potential scammers can certainly make it all worse. Perhaps, this tax season even more than in year’s past.
“Scammers have really picked up their game this year and they’re capitalizing on the emotional, social isolation, the frailty, the financial issues,” Barnett said.
The best defense is to:
- Be vigilant about shredding documents.
- Beware of calls, texts or emails, supposedly from the IRS. The IRS doesn’t do that it’s likely a phishing scam to get your Social Security number.
- If you use the online tax tool websites and apps, triple check that they’re legitimate.
“And if you go to a tax preparer, you got to make sure they’re registered in the state of Maryland, they’ve passed the exam and they are licensed by the Department of Licensing and Labor.”
BBB is a political entity