It’s tax time and the deadlines are fast approaching. If you’re in Canada, the due date has been pushed from April 30th to June 1st, 2020, while in the US, July 15th is the date to keep in mind.

Tax season used to mean mountains of paperwork but more and more people are taking advantage of online software to file. Unfortunately, this opens the door to digital threats you need to be aware of. We’ve put together a guide to keep you safe this tax season.

First, What To Look Out For

With W2s and T4s flying around there’s a trove of personal data that cyber criminals look for to steal your identity and financial information.

1. Tax Fraud

Did you know, according to the Federal Trade Commission, one of the most common types of identity theft is tax-related fraud? This is when someone uses your Social Security number (or SIN) and other personal information to file an income tax return. You might not know it happened until:

• You get a letter informing you of a suspicious tax return with your SSN or SIN (FixMeTip click here to learn “What to expect when the Canada Revenue Agency contacts you” or here if you’re in the US)
• You try to file your return online but get a notice saying a return has already being filed with your SSN or SIN

2. Phishing Scams

If someone contacts you out of the blue claiming to be the IRS or CRA – be sure to stop and think before you give any personal information. Fraudsters will demand immediate payment to employ a sense of urgency. They know people are more likely to make irrational choices under pressure. These types of scams typically use the same tricks:

• Impersonation: They will often pose as members of the IRS, CRA or other tax agencies, and inform you that there’s some sort of error with your tax return.
• Robot Scam Calls: These calls tend to ramp up noticeably during tax season – a robotic voice informing you that your social security card has been compromised and the police are involved. These calls will urge you to contact a number, where a scammer will then persuade you to transfer funds into their accounts.
• Fraudulent Letters: Recently, scammers have upped their game and started sending official-looking mail to potential victims. Many of these letters claim to be from the Bureau of Tax Enforcement (which doesn’t even exist), and while they may look legitimate, they are often missing a lot of key details that are found on the real deal.

While some of these scams are easy to spot, sometimes they manage to slip by. Keep this in mind when you’re trying to figure out if it’s a scam or not:

• If these agencies want to reach you, they would do so through mail, or through your verified tax account – they won’t contact you through phone or email (however it’s best to exercise caution with snail-mail too).
• Official letters will always have a seal and a letter or notice number – plus you can always call the tax agency in question to verify (just make sure you’re calling a valid number).
• They will never call to set up a meeting with you in public to take payment or demand immediate payment by e-transfer, bitcoin, prepaid credit cards or gift cards.
• If they use aggressive language or threaten you with arrest it is definitely a scam.
• One reader also mentioned to watch if they use your name. If they don’t ever address you by your name, you can assume it’s a scam.

Even if you get an email that has the correct logo and name make sure the email address looks correct and watch for spelling and grammar errors! You can always call the correct agency to verify any communication you receive.

3. Fake Software

Not only are scammers impersonating federal agencies they also pretend to be tax software, like TurboTax or UFile. You might receive an email from this software informing you that you need to reset your password due to suspicious activity on your account. You’re taken to a fake website where you update your information and unknowingly give cyber criminals access to all your personal data.

Next steps to take before you file your taxes

Check out what tips our in-house tax experts shared with us for how to stay safe and secure this tax season!

Make sure the computer you’re using is clean

If your computer is infected your information is compromised before you even submit it. Use a trusted antivirus to protect what matters most and run FixMeStick for an added layer of security and peace-of-mind.

Our accounting team uses McAfee antivirus because they want a name they can trust to get the identity and privacy protection they need. Although free software seems good enough, it doesn’t offer the same level of protection and customer support as paid antiviruses. Try McAfee with a special discount today.

You want your computer to be up-to-date too

We know updating your operating system can be a pain but this is the only way to ensure it’s optimized against vulnerabilities. Your OS needs to be running its best to detect and avoid malware.

Tax tips for when you file

The device you’re going to be using is secure, now it’s time to actually file your return safely, securely, and efficiently.

Use a secure connection

If you can avoid it, try not to file your taxes on a public Wi-Fi network. Public Wi-Fi allows others to see your online activity.

FixMeTip: use a VPN to create a hack-proof, encrypted tunnel for your online traffic. Try NordVPN with an exclusive discount today.

Also double check that any sites you’re using have Secure Sockets Layer (SSL). Check to make sure the URLs have https:// (not just http), and a lock icon at the front of the url address.

Use a strong, unique password

Whether you’re creating a new account this year, or using an account that you used last year it’s best to update your passwords.

It’s tempting to use easy, memorable items like your dog’s name or your SIN– but don’t! With online breaches increasing year over year it’s crucial that you use unique, complex passwords for every account.

Better yet, use 2 Factor Authentication (2FA) to ensure only you have access to your accounts.

Not sure if your computer is secure? Use the StartMeStick!

When filing taxes it is important to be confident your computer is clean. If you want an added layer of security and privacy use the StartMeStick (as long as your tax software can be accessed via a browser). The StartMeStick is a secure and private computer on a stick that doesn’t save anything. That way you can be confident that your taxes are safe and secure, with no personal information accidentally saved for someone else to get their hands on. Try the StartMeStick today – it comes with a money-back guarantee!

Have any questions about how to safely file your taxes? Comment below.