Protect Yourself from Tax Scams

Image of tax forms January 2018

Tax season is coming and scammers soon will be sending fraudulent e-mail messages that look like legitimate tax communications. Don’t become another victim. The IRS estimates that identity thieves have already stolen more than $11 billion through tax fraud since 2012.[1]

Be on alert for the following:

Any message asking for W-2 or other tax information.
Authentic looking emails impersonating UC communications about accessing your W-2.
Messages that look like they are from executive management requesting copies of employee W-2s for review purposes. See the IRS alert from last year about this scam.
Messages that encourage you to click on links, ask for passwords, etc.
Unexpected phone calls about such messages, or asking you to install software.

Protect yourself.

To access your W-2 statement, go directly to UC’s At Your Service or UCPath website (whichever your location uses) instead of clicking on a link in an email.
Use known contact information to verify any request for W-2 or other tax information, even if it looks like it’s from someone you know. For example, call them first.
Do not reply to emails asking for your password or SSN.
Familiarize yourself with the IRS’ current list of tax scams so you recognize them.

But don’t stop there!
Here are eight important cybersecurity habits to help protect your information, your family and your work. They'll also reduce your risk of getting scammed!

Resources:
Identity Theft Resources
UC Systemwide Information Security Awareness website
Simple Cybersecurity Tips for Staying Safe Online During Tax Time, from StaySafeOnline.org
IRS Taypayer Guide to Identity Theft - includes Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Russian and Vietnamese translations
A New Tax Scam, and Tips on How to Deal With It - New York Times article, Feb 2018

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[1] Source: https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/irs-states-and-tax-industry-combat-identity-theft-and-refund-fraud-on-many-fronts