In This Issue The Threat: What to Watch For 🎯 Red Flags 🚩 Action Steps: Protect Yourself 🛡️ County Connection 🏛️ Quick Win ✅

Scammers file thousands of fraudulent tax returns each year. Protect yours in just 10 minutes. 

Tax season is here, and so are scammers. Every year, cybercriminals take advantage of the rush to file taxes by impersonating the IRS, posing as tax preparers, and tricking people into sharing sensitive information.

The good news? A few simple steps can significantly reduce your risk.

The Threat: What to Watch For🎯

During tax season, scams tend to spike. Common tactics include:

• IRS Impersonation Scams: Fraudsters may call, email, or text pretending to be the IRS, claiming you owe money or are due a refund.
• Fake Tax Preparers: Some scammers pose as legitimate preparers to steal personal and financial information.
• 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.

Red Flags🚩

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.

Action Steps: Protect Yourself🛡️

You can reduce your risk in just a few minutes:

• File Early: Filing your taxes early helps prevent scammers from filing a fraudulent return in your name.
• 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.
• Verify Your Tax Preparer: Use a trusted, credentialed preparer. Look for a PTIN (Preparer Tax Identification Number) and check qualifications.
• Secure Your Documents: Store tax records safely and avoid sending sensitive information over unsecured email or text.

County Connection🏛️

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.

Quick Win ✅

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.

Disclaimer

The information provided in Marin CyberSafe News is intended to increase people’s awareness of cybersecurity and to help them behave in a more secure manner. Links in this newsletter are provided because they have information that may be useful. The County of Marin does not warrant the accuracy of any information contained in the links and neither endorses nor intends to promote the advertising of the resources listed herein. The opinions and statements contained in such resources are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the opinions of County of Marin.

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