Online Security Updates
Below are links to the latest updates we routinely send our Online Banking customers about a variety of online security topics.
How to Spot and Avoid Income Tax Scams
Filing your taxes can be stressful on its own, but today it’s more important than ever to be aware of criminals who prey on unsuspecting taxpayers. Below are some of the most common tax scams, and a few ways to protect yourself so that you don’t become a victim:
Do not click on any unsolicited emails or texts
- The IRS will NOT initiate contact with taxpayers by email or text to request personal or financial information. Do not enter information if you are not on the official IRS website - www.irs.gov - no matter how official it looks. If you receive an unsolicited email or text that appears to be from the IRS, report it by sending it to phishing@irs.gov.
Be aware of IRS impersonation scams
- The IRS will NEVER call taxpayers demanding payment on the spot, nor will they call about taxes owed without first having mailed you a bill. They will not require you to use a specific payment method for your taxes, such as a prepaid debit card, or store gift cards, and will never threaten to bring in law enforcement to have you arrested for not paying. If you receive a call like this, hang up immediately and contact the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration at 1-800-366-4484 to report the call.
Verify your tax preparer
- Be suspicious of any tax preparer who promises a large refund without looking at your records, someone who asks you to sign a blank return, or charges fees based on the amount of the refund. Before choosing a tax preparer, you should ask for their IRS Preparer Tax Identification Number, or PTIN, and verify it with the Directory of Federal Tax Return Preparers at www.irs.gov.
Protect yourself with the Identity Protection Personal Identification Number (IP PIN)
- To help combat taxpayer ID theft, the Internal Revenue Service encourages all taxpayers to sign up for an identity protection personal identification number (IP PIN), which provides an added layer of security to help protect against tax-related identity theft.
By following these tips, you can help protect yourself from scammers. Although no form of protection is absolute, a combination of personal awareness and protective tools will make you as safe as possible.
