As a new tax season begins, keep in mind scammers will be revving up their efforts to steal YOUR money. The scams come in different forms: phishing emails, harassing phone calls, and tax return identity theft. Here are some steps to help keep your identity and money safe:

• File taxes early to avoid scammers.
• Be cautious about tax-related emails. Do not use links within the email. Instead, go to the IRS website for relevant information.
• Hang up on IRS impersonator phone calls.
• Report suspicious emails or phone calls ASAP.
• Shred bank and tax documents before throwing them away.
• Update your security software.

The IRS offers an option called Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN) that assigns a unique six-digit code to eligible taxpayers that helps limit fraudulent tax returns. For more information visit www.irs.gov/identity-theft-fraud-scams/get-an-identity-protection-pin.

Here are some reminders about the IRS. They will NEVER:

• call about past taxes without having mailed several notices first
• call to demand payment with threats to involve law enforcement and have you arrested
• call or email asking you to divulge personal and/or financial information
• require payment without allowing you to appeal or even question the amount due
• require you to use a specific payment method like a pre-paid debit card
• ask for your credit/debit card and/or bank information over the phone

If you receive any IRS-related scam communication, please report to Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) at www.treasury.gov/tigta/ and to the IRS at phishing@irs.gov. 

Sources: Internal Revenue Service