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During tax season, scams tend to spike. Common tactics include:
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IRS Impersonation Scams: Fraudsters may call, email, or text pretending to be the IRS, claiming you owe money or are due a refund.
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Fake Tax Preparers: Some scammers pose as legitimate preparers to steal personal and financial information.
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W-2 & Document Phishing: Emails that appear to be from employers or government agencies asking you to “verify” or resend tax documents.
These scams are designed to create urgency, hoping you will act quickly without verifying.
Watch for these warning signs:
- Unexpected messages claiming to be from the IRS
- Requests for payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency
- Pressure to act immediately (“Pay now or face penalties”)
- Emails or texts asking for personal or financial information
- Tax preparers who don’t sign your return or lack proper credentials
If something feels off, it probably is.
You can reduce your risk in just a few minutes:
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File Early: Filing your taxes early helps prevent scammers from filing a fraudulent return in your name.
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Get an IRS Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN): This is a free tool from the IRS that adds an extra layer of security to your tax filing.
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Verify Your Tax Preparer: Use a trusted, credentialed preparer. Look for a PTIN (Preparer Tax Identification Number) and check qualifications.
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Secure Your Documents: Store tax records safely and avoid sending sensitive information over unsecured email or text.
Marin County offers a Real Estate Fraud Notification Program to help protect property owners from deed and property fraud.
When a document such as a deed affecting your property is recorded, the County will automatically send you a notification by mail. This allows you to quickly verify the activity and report anything suspicious.
This simple but effective safeguard helps residents detect potential fraud early so they can take action if something doesn’t look right.
To learn more about how to monitor and protect your property records, visit the Real Estate Fraud service page on the County web site.
Staying informed about your property records is an important step in protecting your identity and financial security.
Take 2 minutes today to confirm that the IRS has your correct mailing address at IRS.gov. This helps ensure important tax documents don’t end up in the wrong hands.
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