Stay Informed, Stay Secure: CERCA Tax Scam Communication Bundle

 

Latino Tax Professionals Association is an active member of CERCA (Council for Electronic Revenue Communication Advancement).  We have posted a very important Tax Scam Communication Bundle from the IRS through CERCA.  Please take some time to research through this very important information and help keep taxpayers safe from scams.

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  • When to file a business identity theft affidavit with the IRS  English & Spanish 
  • Avoid fraud and tax-related identity theft with an IP PIN  English & Spanish 
  • Protect your business against data loss and fraud  English & Spanish 
  • Watch out for tax scams and report fraudulent messages  English & Spanish 

e-Posters 

Social media messages 

Take care when choosing a tax return preparer: 

  • #IRS reminder: Carefully choose a #TaxPro to prepare your tax return. It’s important to keep your personal and financial info safe and secure. https://ow.ly/ZNeo50QwQHh 
  • To keep your personal and financial data secure, make sure you choose a #TaxPro carefully. Learn more from the #IRS: https://ow.ly/ZNeo50QwQHh  
  • DYK the #IRS has a Directory of Federal Tax Return Preparers with Credentials and Qualifications? Use it to help you find a trusted #TaxPro: https://ow.ly/ZNeo50QwQHh 
  • Learning a few simple tips can help you choose the right #TaxPro to prepare your tax return and make sure your personal data is handled with care: https://ow.ly/ZNeo50QwQHh #IRS 
  • Choosing a #TaxPro? You should know if they’re affiliated with a recognized national tax association and have a valid PTIN. Here’s why: https://ow.ly/ZNeo50QwQHh  
  • The #IRS shares important questions you should ask before choosing a #TaxPro to help prepare your taxes: https://ow.ly/ZNeo50QwQHh  
  • #TaxPro Ghost preparers don’t sign your tax return. Here are a few tips from the #IRS on how to avoid these scams: https://ow.ly/ZNeo50QwQHh 
  • #TaxPro Invalid Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN). Make sure you choose a #TaxPro carefully. Learn more from the #IRS: https://ow.ly/ZNeo50QwQHh 

Ghost preparers: 

  • Here’s a #FriendlyReminder to watch out for ‘ghost’ preparers that can make an ugly mess of your tax security. If you pay someone to do your #IRS return, make sure they sign it either electronically or on paper: www.irs.gov/chooseataxpro 
  • A #FriendlyReminder that any paid tax preparer must sign and include their PTIN on your tax return. Ghost preparers who don’t sign #IRS returns are very likely trying to scam you. www.irs.gov/chooseataxpro 

Choosing a Tax Pro: 

  • Choose your tax pro with care. This is an #IRS #FriendlyReminder that you’re ultimately responsible for all the information on your tax return, regardless of who prepares it. Learn more at: www.irs.gov/chooseataxpro   
  • This is a #FriendlyReminder that you can follow simple steps to make sure you’re getting good, professional help with your taxes. Learn more from the #IRS at: www.irs.gov/chooseataxpro   

Phishing: 

  • Report phishing and scams. Find out what to do if you receive unsolicited communications claiming to be from the #IRS. https://ow.ly/IwsH50QeubY  
  • Help us stop phishing scams. With header information, #IRS can trace the hosting website and help shut down fraudulent sites. See: https://ow.ly/Qr0J50Qeugr  
  • Even during the holiday season, #IRS reminds you to recognize and avoid phishing scams from identity thieves: www.irs.gov/phishing  
  • Scammers don’t take any breaks. #IRS urges taxpayers to be on the lookout for evolving phishing emails and telephone scams. www.irs.gov/phishing 
  • Even a savvy person can get duped by a phishing email if they don’t know the warning signs of a scam. #IRS can help you avoid the hooks of phishing scams. See www.irs.gov/phishing  
  • An #IRS reminder to beware of phishing scams, still common tactic used by cybercriminals to steal sensitive data. www.irs.gov/phishing 

  Charity Fraud: 

  • Bogus charities attract unsuspecting donors. You can avoid this #IRS Dirty Dozen tax scam and #StopCharityFraud: http://www.irs.gov/dirtydozen #IRS 
  • Charity scams often use names and websites to sound and look like a real nonprofit. You can avoid this #IRS Dirty Dozen tax scam and #StopCharityFraud: http://www.irs.gov/dirtydozen #IRS 
  • If you answer a charity’s call for help, give by check or credit card, not cash. #IRS urges you to stay alert and check that you’re donating to legitimate charities: http://www.irs.gov/teos #StopCharityFraud 
  • Criminals impersonate charities to get money or private information from well-intentioned people. #StopCharityFraud → #IRS can help you donate to legitimate charities: https://ow.ly/t5HN50Qc5zB 
  • If you answer a charity’s call to help, #IRS suggests you contribute by check or credit card, not cash. Verify the charity’s status and help keep #StopCharityFraud at www.irs.gov/teos 
  • #IRS reminds you that criminals often take advantage of people wishing to help victims in times of crisis. Stay alert and verify before making charitable contributions: www.irs.gov/teos #StopCharityFraud 
  • #IRS reminder: Fraudulent schemes may start with phone, social media, email or in-person requests for donations. Check the legitimacy of a charity asking for funds to help #StopCharityFraud: www.irs.gov/teos 
  • Criminals impersonate charities to get money or private information from well-intentioned people. #IRS can help you donate to legitimate charities and #StopCharityFraud: www.irs.gov/teos 
  • Stay alert to keep your charity safe: Watch all year long for bogus #IRS emails and websites attempting to “phish” for your info. www.irs.gov/alerts #StopCharityFraud  

IP PIN: 

  • The #IRS #IPPIN can help protect you from tax-related fraud. On National #TaxSecurity Awareness Week, learn more at: www.irs.gov/ippin  
  • The #IRS #IPPIN provides an extra layer of safety to protect people from tax-related fraud. On National #TaxSecurity Awareness Week, learn more on how this six-digit number prevents the misuse of your personal info: www.irs.gov/ippin  

Small Biz cyber safety:  

  • Most cyberattacks are aimed at small businesses with less than 100 employees. This National #TaxSecurity Awareness Week, take a moment to learn about the #IRS and Security Summit best practice recommendations www.irs.gov/securitysummit   

Watch out for scams: 

  • There’s no fool-proof technology to defend against scams. #IRS reminds you that YOU are the main defense in #TaxSecurity. www.irs.gov/securitysummit  

NTSAW - Shopping online/ Protect info online: 

  • If you’re shopping online, #IRS and the Security Summit remind you that having computer and firewall virus protections and file encryption are key to your #TaxSecurithttps://ow.ly/Fk5K50QbCAXax-Exempt Organization Search (TEOS): 
  • Criminals set up bogus charities to take advantage of the public's generosity during international crises or natural disasters. See #IRS advice to protect your donations and your data: https://ow.ly/sRe450Q16nY  
  • Many want to help victims of tragedies, and natural disasters around the globe. See #IRS advice to protect your donations: https://ow.ly/sRe450Q16nY  
  • Many people are giving to charities in response to acts of violence and natural disasters. #IRS warns everyone to watch for criminals soliciting donations and falsely posing as legitimate organizations. See: www.irs.gov/teos 
  • With tragedies and natural disasters around the globe, many are giving donations to help victims. #IRS reminds you to check before you give: www.irs.gov/teos 
  • When fake charities collect donations, proceeds don’t go to those in need and contributors can’t deduct their donations on their tax return. #IRS reminds you to check before you give: www.irs.gov/teos 
  • Criminals often set up bogus charities to take advantage of the public's generosity during times of crisis or natural disasters. #IRS reminds you to check before you give: www.irs.gov/teos 

Ghosts/VITA volunteer: 

  • You can help combat real scary ghosts – join the #IRS volunteer tax preparation program and protect your community from ghost tax preparers who take advantage of people seeking help filing a tax return: www.irs.gov/volunteer 
  • Ghost tax preparers bring real harm to taxpayers, especially to communities with low and moderate incomes. You can help keep people safe – become a volunteer in the #IRS free tax preparation program: www.irs.gov/volunteer 
  • Heard of ghost tax preparers? These are unscrupulous scammers who take advantage of people trying to file their tax returns. Fortunately, you can help protect your community by joining the #IRS volunteer tax preparation program: www.irs.gov/volunteer 

ERC Red flags: 

  • To protect taxpayers from scams, #IRS has stopped new Employee Retention Credit processing amid surge of questionable claims. Learn about the #ERC moratorium at: https://ow.ly/vNAh50PLN8U 

Delivery service mail scam: 

  • Watch out for a new delivery service scam that may try to trick you into sending photos and your bank account information to identity thieves. Read more from the #IRS for your #TaxSecurity: https://ow.ly/t7Uv50P2K8k  
  • A new scam involves a mailing coming in a cardboard envelope from a delivery service. The enclosed letter includes the #IRS masthead and wording that the notice is “in relation to your unclaimed refund.” Don’t fall for it: https://ow.ly/t7Uv50P2K8k  
  • A new scam mailing tries to trick people into believing they are owed a refund. The mailing may come in a cardboard envelope from a delivery service and have an enclosed letter that includes the #IRS masthead. See: https://ow.ly/t7Uv50P2K8k  
  • If you receive an unusual cardboard envelope from a delivery service that contains a letter with the #IRS masthead and wording that the notice is “in relation to your unclaimed refund,” it’s likely a scam. Watch out for your #TaxSecurity: https://ow.ly/t7Uv50P2K8k  

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