HOUSTON — With tax season comes the risk of scams and identity thieves targeting your personal information.
Experts say the most important thing you can do is know who you are talking to. Meaning when you hand over all your tax documents and personal information, make sure you’ve vetted the person you’re using.
“Your identity is important -- not only of yours but of your dependents -- and if it’s stolen, it’s just a big nightmare," said Cristina Cave with BakerRipley.
Keeping track of your personal information during tax season can be a tedious task. Cave said every year at their tax centers they warn consumers about scammers preying on the season.
“It is so important because it’s your information first most, you are putting personal information, your name, your social security number, not only yours but of your dependents," said Cave.
The IRS calls them "ghost preparers' because they don’t sign the tax returns they prepare, require cash payments with no receipt and often claim fake deductions to boost the refund.
“If you don’t qualify for those credits, you will have to give that money back to the IRS and sometimes penalties," she said.
The IRS says it's also important to look out for people impersonating government officials during tax season. Remember, the IRS won’t call, email or text you the first time. They’ll start by sending you a letter. If you get something in the mail and you want to confirm it’s legit, you can call them to verify.
You can find more information from the IRS on how to protect your personal information here.
If you have a problem and need help, email GraceCanHelp@khou.com, call (713) 521-HELP or fill out the form below.