Tax scams and consumer alerts
Warning from the New York State Office of Information Technology Services
The New York State Office of Information Technology Services has issued a warning to the public to be aware of phishing schemes related to NY.gov, the citizen-facing portal for New York State services. The phishing email directs users to a site collecting personal information under the false promise of a stimulus check. If you receive such an email, do not click any links or provide any personal information. Immediately delete the message and then clear it from your Deleted Messages folder.
Debt collection scam letters
Learn how to tell the difference between a debt collection scam letter and legitimate letters you might receive from the Tax Department or collection agency. Review the samples below.
- Recognize red flags: Sample scam letter
- What Tax Department correspondence looks like: Sample department letter
- What legitimate debt collectors do: Sample collection letter
Client data protections for tax professionals
As you change business practices in response to COVID-19—particularly if you’re working from home—it’s critical that you take the time to review your data security practices.
Learn how you can protect your clients’ data—and your own—from security breaches.
- Part 1 of Security Summit tips for tax professionals: Working Virtually: Protect tax data at home and at work with the "Security Six"
- Part 2 of Security Summit tips for tax professionals: Working Virtually: Use multi-factor authentication to protect accounts
- Part 3 of Security Summit tips for tax professionals: Working Virtually: Use a virtual private network to secure remote locations
- Part 4 of Security Summit tips for tax professionals: Working Virtually: Avoid phishing scams
- Part 5 of Security Summit tips for tax professionals: Working Virtually: Make a plan for protecting data and reporting theft
Resources
- IRS at Tax scams/consumer alert
- Email policy
- Report fraud, scams, and identity theft
- IRS at Identity protection: prevention, detection, and victim assistance