Tax season is a prime time for identity thieves to strike with more financial information being shared online than ever. Cybercriminals are constantly finding new ways to exploit personal data, making it essential to stay vigilant and protect yourself. Here are a few ways identity thieves target you and how you can protect yourself this tax season.
How Identity Thieves Target You
Impersonating the Internal Revenue Service
Scammers may call, text, or email you, pretending to be IRS representatives. They often pressure you into making an immediate payment using gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. Remember, the IRS will always initiate contact through official mail—not phone calls, emails, or social media messages demanding payment.
Filing a fraudulent tax return
Thieves may attempt to file a tax return using your Social Security number before you do. One of the best ways to prevent this is to file your tax return early before fraudsters have a chance to do so in your name.
Phishing scams & malware attacks
Be cautious of unsolicited emails, text messages, or social media links that ask for personal or financial information as these may contain malware that infects your devices and steals your data. Avoid clicking suspicious links and always verify the sender before responding to any requests for sensitive information.
How to Protect Yourself from Identity Theft in 2025
File as soon as you receive your tax statements
As soon as you have received all your tax documents, provide them to us for preparation and filing your return on your behalf, or take steps to file your own return. Once a return has been filed under a specific Social Security number, the IRS won’t allow a second.
Use caution when providing personal information
Never provide personal information over the phone, through mail, email or online unless you are the one who initiated contact and have confirmed the identity of the recipient.
Properly retain and dispose sensitive documents
Keep your financial records organized, and make sure you retain them for appropriate amounts of time and shred important documents carefully including old tax returns, bank statements, and credit offers.
As a rule, keep tax returns and all supporting tax documentation (receipts, cancelled checks for expenses, retirement contributions, 1099s, etc.) for at least seven years.
Use strong, unique passwords and secure networks
Enable multi-factor authentication on your financial accounts and avoid accessing them on public Wi-Fi. Use a Virtual Private Network, or VPN, to encrypt your data and mask your IP address when you use the internet, if necessary.
Identity theft can be costly, so best to protect yourself now by taking the steps to keep your information safe.
