Tax scammers will steal your refund @McAfeeConsumer

4 Apr 2014 · 1 min

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In a brief news segment, the host warns viewers that tax‑season scammers are actively targeting taxpayers, especially low‑income earners and the elderly. Robert Siciliano, an online security expert from McAfee, clarifies that filing taxes online is not inherently unsafe, but risks arise when users employ unsecured devices or use fraudulent filing portals that mimic legitimate IRS sites. He explains that scammers set up these fake portals to harvest personal data. The segment concludes with a report that federal agents in Florida recently arrested 25 individuals suspected of stealing Social Security numbers and other personal information to file fraudulent tax returns.

Scammers are out in full force this tax season, so take precautions when you're filing your tax returns. If you haven't already done it, make sure you guard your personal information. An online security expert with McAfee explained that filing online carries its own set of risks. He said low-income earners and the elderly are specifically targeted by scammers who are trying to take advantage of their vulnerabilities.
The act of filing your taxes online in and of itself isn't a security risk, but it's when your devices aren't properly secured and Or you might be filing in a place where it might not be the IRS, or that particular software that you use to file, uh, it could be bad guys who set up portals online that look legit but are designed to scam you and take your personal information.
Just yesterday in Florida, federal agents arrested 25 people. They think these people were stealing Social Security numbers and personal information so they could file fraudulent tax returns.