What was it Ben Franklin said?
Maybe that the only two certain things in life are phishing scams and taxes? Something like that…
According to IRS data, tax scams spike in January and February and intensify through April. Last year, scammers targeted numerous business owners by misrepresenting the Employee Retention Credit (ERC)–a credit for which many victims didn’t qualify–charging hefty fees for assistance with applications.
Continue reading for three common tax scams businesses are facing today:
💸 Phishing and Smishing Threats
Scammers posing as the IRS will send emails or texts threatening legal action. They often target tax professionals and businesses.
Prevent it: The IRS never initiates contact via email. Report suspicious tax e-mails to [email protected] (and to Facet through your “Report Phishing” button or by emailing [email protected]), and always verify messages directly with the IRS through official channels.
💸 Online Account “Help” Calls
Scammers offer help setting up an IRS online account. Their goal? Getting personal and tax information they can use for identity theft.
Prevent it: Only create your online account directly through IRS.gov and avoid any unsolicited offers for third-party help. If someone reaches out offering to assist, it’s likely a scam.
💸 Fuel Tax Credit Emails and Calls
Common email and call scams push Fuel Tax Credit claims, which are only available for farming or off-highway use. They will fabricate documents or receipts for fuel to make false claims, often charging hefty fees in the process. While the scammers profit, you are left with the risk of facing IRS scrutiny.
Prevent it: Make sure you’re eligible for tax credits to avoid fines or criminal charges–it’s often best to consult with a qualified tax professional to ensure legitimacy.
Read more: the IRS publishes their “Dirty Dozen” yearly, detailing twelve common schemes to avoid.
In the News: Chrome Extension Checkup and a Huge Data Breach
Malicious Chrome extensions were “stealing user data, web history for months”: Time to check if you ran any of these 33 malicious Chrome extensions.
PowerSchool, a school records software used for over 50 million students, was breached. PowerSchool data breach victims say hackers stole ‘all’ historical student and teacher data (the hackers stole records dating back to 2009). They got in using compromised credentials for PowerSource, a connected program.
Need some tech advice?
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