Tax season is a period of about four months in which US taxpayers have to file their income tax returns. The process routinely attracts criminals trying to trick people into sharing their financial information and other personal details, often leading to identity compromise and fraud.
Almost 170 million federal returns are filed yearly, and people usually have to file taxes using personal information online or on paper. Given that criminals will go to great lengths to obtain information of far less value, like an email address or Facebook account, you can imagine the allure tax season presents to attackers.
Not all victims are hit in the same way. Some might receive a phishing email telling them they haven’t filed their documents properly. Others claim that the taxpayers are eligible for substantial deductions, and some could even call on your phone, identifying themselves as IRS agents. No matter the ruse, the targets remain the same: money and personal information that could be used down the line for identity theft.
Simple rules for a safe tax season
Running Bitdefender Total Security on desktop PCs and laptops can solve most of these problems. In this way, you don't have to worry about clicking on the wrong link or opening a malicious message. The security solution will ensure you can go about your day without worrying about cyber criminals.
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Silviu is a seasoned writer who followed the technology world for almost two decades, covering topics ranging from software to hardware and everything in between.
View all postsNovember 14, 2024
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