One Step Ahead: Filing Taxes Online This Year? Take Steps to Protect Your Information! |
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February 9, 2016, Volume 62, No. 22 |
Another tip in a series provided by the
Offices of Information Systems & Computing and Audit, Compliance & Privacy
United States taxpayers filed more than 128 million returns online in 2015. Electronic filing (“e-filing”) offers enormous convenience, but it’s important to remember that it can also create privacy and security risks. Cybercriminals can use stolen information—such as Social Security Numbers, addresses and dates of birth—to commit identity theft, including filing fraudulent tax returns to collect the refunds. Here are several steps you can take to help avoid the risks while taking advantage of the convenience of e-filing:
• Use a strong unique password for e-filing that is different from that of any other online account to protect your personal information.
• Remember that the IRS will never send you any electronic communication, including emails and text messages that ask for personal information. A major strategy for criminals during tax season is to contact individuals by email, pretending to be the Internal Revenue Service. People are tricked into clicking on links and downloading malicious software that steals personal information or into providing sensitive information like passwords or Social Security Numbers in answer to a question. Be wary of any such emails.
• Get an Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN): An IP PIN is a six-digit number assigned to eligible taxpayers that helps prevent the misuse of your Social Security Number on fraudulent federal income tax returns. To learn more and determine if you qualify to enroll in this extra layer of protection visit https://www.irs.gov/Individuals/Get-An-Identity-Protection-PIN
If you believe you have been the victim of tax-related identity theft contact the IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit at (800) 908-4490.
For more on how to protect your personal data visit www.upenn.edu/privacy and www.upenn.edu/computing/security/
For additional tips, see the One Step Ahead link on the Information Security website: www.upenn.edu/computing/security/
Related: How to Read and Understand Your W-2 |