How to spot a phishing scam to avoid tax time trouble

During tax season, phishing scams are rampant.  Be extra cautious with emails and websites promising fast refunds.

With tax season rolling in, you’re probably neck-deep in forms and receipts. But wait a minute – have you thought about those emails and websites you’ve used that also hold your financial info? That’s where scams come in, and nobody wants that headache!

During tax prep, scammers go into overdrive. They send emails that look like they’re from official tax agencies, hoping you’ll click a link or give up your personal data. Or they’ll create websites that promise ridiculously fast refunds, just to get you to enter your sensitive stuff. Yikes!

So, how do you outsmart the hackers? Here are a few tips:

Double-check everything: Don’t just click on any email about taxes. Verify the sender’s address and hover over links before clicking. The real tax people will never ask you to pay in gift cards or threaten to arrest you – those are big red flags!

Use secure websites: Always look for the little padlock symbol and “https” in the address bar – those indicate a secure connection. It might sound nerdy, but it saves a lot of trouble down the road.

Be skeptical, even with your friends: Sometimes scammers can hack into someone’s account and send emails that seem to come from someone you trust. If a message feels weird or out of character, check with your friend directly before opening anything.

Remember, being cautious is the best defense against tax season scams! But hey, even with all that, it never hurts to have a backup plan. That’s where a company like SecurShred comes in, offering secure storage solutions so you never have to worry about your info falling into the wrong hands.

Visit our website securshred.com and see how easy it is to store your records in our NAID-certified facility. Think of it as extra insurance for your peace of mind!