You may have already filed your tax returns, but the risk for fraud is ever-present. Each year, thousands of people lose money and confidential personal information to a variety of scams. Phone impersonation scams, the theft of physical and digital data, and malware schemes are just a few ways criminals will try to steal your information. Here are some tips on how to prevent it.

Do:

Be alert for signs of fraud.

After filing your tax returns, be wary of alerts that show up through your credit report or other monitoring systems. One of the most common issues is multiple tax returns getting filed with your social security number. Be especially careful when receiving unsolicited phone calls claiming to be from the IRS. It’s better to call a verified number than give out information to an unknown caller.

Shred documents with personal information.

Tax preparation requires a lot of documents — not all of which need to be saved for auditing purposes. Never simply throw away or recycle documents containing your social security number or other personal information. First, put such papers in the shredder.

Don’t:

Click on suspicious links.

If you get an untrustworthy-looking email, such as a message that doesn’t address you by name or uses improper English, don’t click on any links or attachments. A single click could expose your computer to malware and allow hackers to steal your data. Check the sender’s email address to identify phishing scams.

Wait to file a complaint.

The longer you wait, the more damage someone can do with your personal information. File a fraud complaint with the IRS immediately and get an alert placed on your credit records. This can help prevent audits, credit score damage, and other costly losses.

For full assistance regarding the ins and outs of tax returns, contact Sharrard, McGee and Co., PA. Serving North Carolina’s Piedmont Triad since 1976, their dedicated team will help you navigate tax laws so you can avoid penalties and other issues. To learn more about their services, visit them online. To speak with a tax accountant, call (336) 884-0410 (High Point) or (336) 272-9777 (Greensboro).