MONTGOMERY, Nov. 19, 2015— Taxpayers can fight cybercriminals by taking a few simple steps to protect their personal
and tax data online, the Alabama Department of Revenue announced today. ADOR joined with the Internal
Revenue Service and the private-sector tax industry this year to create new safeguards for 2016, and the partnership wants to let taxpayers know how
they can protect themselves.
“Criminals have access to excessive amounts of personal
data, which they use to file fraudulent tax returns,”
said Revenue Commissioner Julie Magee. “Our message today
is we need your help. We all have a role to play. We want you to be aware of the security steps you can take – online and at home –
to better protect your
data from cybercriminals.”
Magee joined
IRS Commissioner John Koskinen and other state and industry leaders today to unveil
the “Taxes. Security. Together.” campaign at an event hosted by the Federation of
Tax Administrators in Washington, D.C. The campaign is a product of the Security
Summit, a collaborative effort started in March between the states, the IRS and
the tax industry to combat tax fraud. Magee serves on the Security Summit’s Authentication
and Financial Services workgroups.
“Taxes. Security.
Together.” is designed to raise public awareness that even routine actions on the
Internet and personal devices can affect the safety of taxpayers’ financial and
tax data. A few steps you can take to better protect yourself:
·
Use security software with firewall and anti-virus
protections.
·
Use automatic updates. Encrypt your tax returns
and other sensitive data. Use strong passwords.
·
Beware of phishing emails. A link may take you to
a fake website that is designed to steal your login information. The attachment
you open may include a program that allows a thief to get into your sensitive files.
·
Beware of phone scams. If you get a call from an
aggressive or belligerent person who says you will be sued or jailed if you don’t
make an immediate payment, know this: that person is a fraud. If you need to
make sure a call is legitimate, you can always hang up, and then dial ADOR yourself.
·
Protect your personal information. Treat your
Social Security number, your driver’s license number and other personal data as
you would cash – don’t leave it lying around. Don’t overshare on social media.
·
Shred your old tax returns and documents with your
name, address, bank account numbers and credit card information. Proper shredding
cuts on a diagonal and creates tiny pieces, not long, easy-to-reassemble strips.
·
Check your credit reports and Social Security Administration
accounts regularly. In addition to refund fraud, thieves can take out loans
using your credit or your children’s credit.
·
Know your tax preparer. If you like to file your
return online, start at revenue.alabama.gov
or at IRS.gov – they’re legitimate. If you
like to file using installed software, buy your software from a trusted retailer,
or by going directly (not clicking a link) to your preferred software company’s
website. If you use an accountant, make sure it’s someone you know will be
available after April 15. Don’t let any preparer take your refund and
then pay you directly.
·
And finally, when you see new questions, lockout
features and password requirements for logging in to tax preparation products, feel
good about it. Know that these new features are in place for your protection, and
that the requirements are in place for every single tax preparation company.
-30-
Media contact for more information:
ADOR
Communications/Publications Division Frank.miles@revenue.alabama.gov Carolyn.blackstock@revenue.alabama.gov Amanda.collier@revenue.alabama.gov Telephone:
334-242-1390; FAX: 334-242-0550
Website address: http://revenue.alabama.gov