IRS Reminds Taxpayers to Protect Personal and Financial Information Online

The IRS has reminded taxpayers about the continued importance of protecting personal and financial information online during National Cybersecurity Month. Further, the Service has urged parents, families, and others to be cautious of the pitfalls caused by sharing devices at home, shopping online and navigating various social media platforms.

The Service has provided the following suggestions for children, teens and other vulnerable groups to protect their data:

• recognize phishing emails, threatening phone calls, and texts from thieves posing as the IRS or legitimate organizations and avoid scams;
• keep data secure and only provide information that is necessary to minimize online exposure to scammers and criminals;
• be aware about public Wi-Fi networks so that interception of personal information by hackers and cybercriminals is prevented; and
• use security software with firewall and antivirus protection and encrypt sensitive files such as tax records on computers.

Additionally, the IRS warned taxpayers that it does not use text messages or social media to discuss personal tax issues. Lastly, the IRS has requested taxpayer to visit the Tax Scams and Consumer Alerts page and see Publication 4524, Security Awareness for Taxpayers for more information on tax scams.