During tax season, the risks associated with sharing sensitive information rise dramatically. Cybercriminals often target taxpayers and tax professionals, exploiting vulnerabilities in digital communications to steal personal data or commit fraud. By adopting best practices for digital security, you can reduce the likelihood of falling victim to scams or breaches. This article outlines essential strategies to help you stay protected in an increasingly connected world.
Encrypt Your Emails
In an era where email is a primary mode of communication, securing your messages is critical. Cybercriminals often target unprotected emails to steal sensitive data, such as Social Security numbers and financial details. Establishing robust email security protocols is essential for protecting your information.
- Use End-to-End Encryption: Enable end-to-end encryption in your email platform to ensure only the sender and intended recipient can access the content. Popular services like Gmail or Outlook provide this feature, or consider third-party tools like ProtonMail for enhanced security.
- Secure File Attachments: Encrypt sensitive files before attaching them to emails. Many email platforms offer integrated encryption options, or you can use tools like WinZip or Adobe Acrobat to add password protection.
- Verify Recipient Email Addresses: Always double-check the recipient’s email address before sending, as sending encrypted information to the wrong address can still result in a data breach.
- Avoid Public Wi-Fi: When accessing your email, use a secure, private internet connection. Public Wi-Fi networks can expose your communications to interception, even with encryption in place.
By adopting these encryption practices, you can protect sensitive communications from unauthorized access and significantly reduce the risk of a data breach.
Be Aware of Phishing and Scams
Phishing scams are a common and dangerous tactic used by cybercriminals to steal sensitive information. These schemes often appear legitimate, tricking victims into revealing data like passwords or tax details. Recognizing and responding to phishing attempts is critical to protecting your identity and accounts.
- Recognize the Signs: Phishing scams often have telltale signs such as unfamiliar greetings, unsolicited messages, grammar and spelling errors, a sense of urgency, suspicious links or attachments, and requests for personal information.
- Don’t Respond: If you receive a suspicious email, do not respond. Responding can confirm to scammers that your email address is active, potentially leading to more targeted attacks.
- Report Suspicious Emails: Use your email provider’s tools to report phishing attempts. This helps improve spam filters and protects other users from similar attacks.
- Verify the Source: Always verify the sender’s email address and be cautious of emails that ask for sensitive information. Legitimate companies typically do not request personal information via email. If in doubt, contact the company directly using a known, trusted method.
By staying informed and cautious, you can avoid the traps set by scammers and ensure the safety of your sensitive information.
Maintain Strong Passwords
Passwords are a cornerstone of digital security, acting as the keys to access your personal and financial information. However, weak or reused passwords are among the leading causes of data breaches and cyberattacks. Creating and managing strong passwords is essential to safeguarding your identity and financial well-being.
- Use Strong Passwords: Use strong and unique passwords for all your accounts. Passwords that use a combination of Uppercase letters, Lowercase letters, numbers, and special symbols are the strongest. Avoid using personal information as part of your password, as well as easy-to-guess sequences of letters or numbers (abcd… 1234…).
- Use a Secure Password Manager: Use a password manager to keep track of your many accounts and their respective passwords. There are a variety of digital password managers out there that allow you to securely store all your passwords in one place.
- Avoid Common Pitfalls: Try to avoid using the same password for multiple accounts. If you need to write down your passwords, avoid doing so insecurely; a notebook tucked away in a safe space is OK, a sticky note hanging off your computer monitor is not. And definitely do not share passwords with others.
Implementing these password practices not only enhances your digital security but also significantly reduces the risk of falling victim to hacking attempts.
Strengthen Security with an IRS IP PIN
Tax-related identity theft is a growing concern, with criminals filing fraudulent tax returns to claim refunds using stolen Social Security numbers. To combat this, the IRS provides an optional Identity Protection Personal Identification Number (IP PIN), a unique six-digit code designed to verify your identity and safeguard your tax returns.
- Visit the IRS Website: Go to the IRS IP PIN page and use the “Get an IP PIN” tool to start the process.
- Verify Your Identity: You’ll need to complete a thorough identity verification process, which may include providing personal information and answering security questions.
- Receiving Your IP PIN: Once your identity is verified, you’ll receive a six-digit IP PIN. This PIN is unique to you, so make sure to keep it confidential.
- Use Your IP PIN: Enter this IP PIN when filing your federal tax returns. It helps the IRS verify your identity and prevents someone else from filing a tax return using your Social Security number.
- Renew Annually: A new IP PIN is generated each year, so you’ll need to retrieve a new one annually through the same process.
- Keep It Confidential: Never share your IP PIN with anyone except your trusted tax preparer when you are ready to file your tax return.
- Beware of Scams: Be cautious of phishing attempts or scams that ask for your IP PIN. The IRS will never call, email, or text you requesting your IP PIN.
By utilizing an IRS IP PIN, you add an additional layer of security to your tax filing process, making it significantly harder for criminals to misuse your information. This small yet powerful step ensures that your tax returns are safe and your identity remains secure.
Stay Consistent
Cybercrime continues to rise, with increasingly sophisticated attacks leading to devastating consequences, from financial loss to identity theft. Implementing the strategies outlined in this article—encrypting emails, recognizing phishing scams, using strong passwords, and utilizing an IRS IP PIN—provides effective protection against these threats. During tax season, maintain regular communication with your trusted tax advisor to address any concerns and ensure your information is handled securely. Protecting your identity begins with informed, consistent action.
By Brian Finley, Ben Lewis, and Donna Menard
