The promise of tax refunds, checks, deductions, or the 2008 Stimulus payments led to an onslaught of hooking scams and many anxious tax filers are falling for it. Often, as the news is reported, these come in the form of emails. But there is another kind of hook which seems to have been omitted. Another way for scammers to collect personal info doesn’t involve your email address and landing on pages including the ones here on AC. Don’t fall for this trick, learn how to spot a fake IRS website, safely reduce your status without entering anything, and social security. Entering personal information into a private site will establish your identity and take appropriate action. Go to the official IRS website and search for “Identity Theft and Your Tax Records” to find out what to do.
Was the commenter who posted the link a phisher? Or were there other innocents who also fell for the bench and think they are useful by suggesting connections? Who knows?
3. Securely check your tax reduction / Stimulus Payment status without entering anything.
Did you know you can check on the status of your Stimulus Payment check or tax reduction check without entering anything? You can, if you can file your tax return by April 15. Simply go to the International Revenue Service website and enter “Incentive Payment Schedule” in the search box. You can also find the website by simply searching for “reward”. Similar queries like “Where is my Stimulus Payment?” and “Where is my refuge?” Finally, I will take you to the card page, but it is less direct. There are many useful links on the International Revenue Service website that will take you there.
You will find a page titled “Stimulus Payment Schedule for Tax Returns Processed by April 15” that will give you a list of when the money will be sent. You don’t have to enter anything. You just need to know what social-security-disability-benefits”>social security number is and see on the screen .
There’s also an online calculator to estimate the amount of money you’ll be getting down on your check. To use it, you will have to answer a few questions. However, there will be no personally identifiable information, or PII, such as a social security number, name, or address.
On the official IRS website, there is also a place to check when your tax refund is coming. Again, this is easily found using their official search box or through a link on the front page of the International Revenue Service. The tax refund is different from the Stimulus Payment Package and you will have to enter some personal information. Just make sure you start something at http://www.irs.gov/.
There are many scams on the internet. Scatter hooks can also come in phone call. Some links found online may not be official IRS websites, but phishing attempts. Even if the site looks official, personal info without checking site address and sure it is official. It’s often safer, and easier than you think, to just start on a public website and see the info yourself. On the website of the International Revenue Service you will also find a way to report phishing emails and scam websites. I beg you so. Help others and protect your personal info.
Sources: http://www.irs.gov/ , http://www.associatedcontent.com/
Useful links: http://www.ftc.gov/ , http://www.ssa.gov/
