Learn about protecting yourself from tax fraud and pass the quiz at the end of the article. You could win one of six $50 Amazon gift cards!

According to IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel, "Scammers are coming up with new ways all the time to try to steal information from taxpayers. People should be wary and avoid sharing sensitive personal data over the phone, email, or social media to avoid getting caught up in these scams. And people should always remember to be wary if a tax deal sounds too good to be true.”

Here is a summary of the IRS announcement on what to avoid:

• Fake communications from those posing as legitimate organizations in the tax and financial community, including the IRS and the US states
• Swindlers posing as a "helpful" third party who offer to help create a taxpayer's IRS Online Account at IRS.gov
• Unscrupulous tax preparers promising huge tax refunds or encouraging people to inflate their refunds by erroneously claiming the fuel tax credit or other bogus tax avoidance strategies
• Fake charity organizations taking advantage of the public's generosity
• Ghost tax preparers who will not sign as the preparer or provide their IRS Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN)
• Misleading tax information on social media and bogus tax forms
• Tax preparers with inadequate cybersecurity
• Schemes with International elements like offshore accounts
• Spear phishing attacks to try to steal taxpayers’ information to file fraudulent tax returns and claim refunds

The IRS estimates that identity thieves have stolen billions via tax fraud. Don’t become another victim!

Be on the alert for: 

• Any message asking for W-2 or other tax information
• Authentic-looking emails impersonating UC or UCSF communications about accessing your W-2
• Messages that look like they are from executive management requesting copies of employee W-2s for review purposes
• Messages with links that encourage you to click on them offer you something for nothing or threaten you
• Any message asking for your user ID or passwords
• Unexpected phone calls about tax information or charitable donations or calls asking you to install software

Protect yourself:

• Scrutinize all communications for indications of fraud. Review Cialdini’s 6 Principles of Persuasion: A Simple Summary for a list of what makes a communication suspicious.
• To access your W-2 statement, visit the University of California UCPath website via MyAccess instead of clicking on a link in an email. 
• Use a different way to validate any request for W-2 or other tax information, even if it looks legitimate. For example, if you receive an email, call the person to verify.
• Do not reply to emails asking for your password or SSN.
• Familiarize yourself with the IRS’ "Dirty Dozen" tax scams so you recognize them.
• Remember the same good security practices done with your work systems and email transfer to your personal life. Sound practices are universal.
• If something "is too good to be true," it's usually too good to be true.
• Don't do anything in haste. Apply caution and resist being manipulated by greed or emotion. Don't trust implicitly. Always question information as potentially misinformation or disinformation.
• Understand that with current-day tools and computing power, AI-powered attackers can more easily craft legitimate-looking, believable emails, manipulate voice recordings, or simulate video to trick you.

Take the IT Security Tax Fraud Awareness Quiz.  Everyone who passes is entered to win one of six $50 Amazon Gift Cards

Additional Information:

IRS Tax Scams/Consumer Alerts