The IRS has made preventing identity theft a top priority this year.

Here’s what identity thieves have been up to. They steal a taxpayer’s personal information and use it to file a bogus tax return claiming a refund under the taxpayer’s name. Then when the unsuspecting taxpayer files their real return, the IRS won’t accept it and notifies the taxpayer that there has already been a return filed under his name and ID number.

The IRS recommends that taxpayers should do the following in order to avoid becoming the victim of an identity thief.

  • Guard your personal information. Identity thieves can get your information by stealing your wallet or purse, going through your trash, or posing as someone who needs your information for a legitimate reason.
  • Watchout for IRS impersonators. Don’t fall for phone calls, faxes, e-mails, or other contacts made by people claiming to be representing the IRS. Don’t respond to any messages they may leave as well. Don’t open any attachments in an e-mail or click on any links. Do not enter your personal information.
  • The IRS recommends that you enter “phishing” in the search box at the top of its website (www.irs.gov) to get more information on avoiding tax scams. E-mail any suspected scams to phishing@irs.gov.
  • Protect the information on your computer. Protect your tax information with a password, and once you’re finished with your tax data, remove it from your hard drive.

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