By NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Internal Revenue Service and the Security Summit partners warned taxpayers and tax professionals to beware of a dangerous combination of events that can increase their exposure to tax scams or identity theft as part of the 6th annual National Tax Security Awareness Week.
"We really want people to remember that while you're shopping for Christmas presents, the criminals are trying to steal your information," said IRS spokesperson Michael Devine. "The IRS, state tax agencies and the nation's tax industry, we get together and all send out basically the same messages, saying, be aware that when you're online, criminals could get access to your information, so there are certain steps you need to take to just be safe when you are shopping online."
Devine reminds people not to shop online when you're not on a network at home and also to use different passwords for different services.
"They need to be simple enough for you to remember," Devine said. "You should write them down, but keep them someplace very safe, on a separately password protected file on your computer. You just need to think about it. You've got keys to your car, you've got keys to your house and they're different keys. Think about, if you were trying to steal that information, how would you do it?"
The IRS and Summit partners continue to see identity thieves trying to look like government agencies and others in the tax community by emailing or texting about tax refunds, stimulus payments or other items.
Remember, the IRS will not call or send unexpected texts or emails about things like refunds. If you have questions, you can find out more at irs.gov.