Protect Your Information

 

In an increasingly digital world, safeguarding your personal information is more crucial than ever. Remember, protecting your personal information is not just about preventing identity theft, but also about preserving your peace of mind. At Total Business Care, we are constantly reviewing new content being published regarding the protection of financial information.

 

Be Aware and Beware of Scams

A new joint effort with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and dozens of organizations across the nation have created a way to combat the growth of scams and schemes threatening taxpayers and tax systems. The cooperative approach of this new task force is called the Coalition Against Scam and Scheme Threats (CASST). “The purpose of the group will be to better protect taxpayers from falling prey to unscrupulous actors by leveraging multilateral relationships across the tax ecosystem to minimize the filing of fraudulent tax returns.” (website source)

 

➜ Scam Types

Here is a list of the different types of scams and what they relate to:

  • Pharming: Computer scam to redirect to fraudulent website

  • Phishing: Internet scam to get personal, sensitive information

  • Smishing: Text messages

  • Vishing: Sharing account information over the phone

sticky_note_2 Please note: these are only some scams, as there are many others that are circulating.

➜ Tax Scams

The IRS will initiate contact with you by:

  • Regular mail

  • Phone (you will receive letters in the mail first)

The IRS will not initiate contact with you by:

  • Email or social media

  • Text messages

For more information on tax scams, you can view this video created by the IRS here or visit https://www.irs.gov/tax-scams-what-to-know-what-to-do.

➜ IRS Scams

The IRS and Social Security Scams continue. Here is a link to the IRS website which outlines the different scams and reminds you that the IRS does not initiate contact with taxpayers by email, text, social media or phone calls. https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/tax-scams-consumer-alerts

Here is a list of some of the current scams happening (including, but are not limited to):

  • Unclaimed refunds

  • Employee Retention Credit

  • Pandemic-related emails

  • Unemployment benefits

  • Natural disasters

➜ Intuit Scams

Various scams currently being used along with how to be aware and identify whether requested information is from a reliable source or not.

Here is a list of some of the topics (including, but are not limited to):

  • Customer support

  • False businesses

  • Fake emails

➜ Artificial Intelligence Scams

Scammers are using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to clone voices in order to impersonate people. In some cases, they can sound like loved ones. Scammers get a small audio sample of someone’s voice and are then able to run it through an AI program that can replicate the voice.

➜ Tech Support Scams

Callers want you to believe there is a serious problem with your computer or that you have items ordered for delivery. They ask for payments in ways that are hard to reverse. Here is information from FTC about these types of scams.

➜ Gift Card Scams

No business or government agency will tell you to buy a gift card to pay them. Here are some examples of the ways a scammer will get in touch with you to buy a gift card, common types of gift card scams and what to do if this happens to you.

➜ Debt Relief + Credit Card Scams

Scammers will offer to lower your credit card interest rates or even fix your credit, but that will cost you and ruin your credit.

➜ Money Transfer Scams

There has been an increase in cases of fraud and scams with money transfer companies, like Zelle, with or without authorization given.

➜ Third-Party Banking App Scams

It is important to understand who you are dealing with before turning your money over or sharing personal information. Knowing the characteristics of impostor scams and fake bank websites and apps can help you avoid becoming a victim.

 

How To Report Scams

Here are some actions to take if you come across any case of fraud or scam.

 

➜ Robo Call Scams

https://consumercomplaints.fcc.gov/hc/en-us

➜ Identity Theft

https://www.identitytheft.gov/#/

➜ Spam Text Messages

https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/#/

➜ Scammers claiming to be from the IRS

  • For text messages: Take a screenshot of the message and include the date/time/time zone they received the text message and the phone number that received the text message and attach it to the email.

  • For emails: do not forward the email, but attach a copy of the email that you received instead.

 

Want to know even more scams to watch out for?

You can read more information regarding scams and fraud on these websites: