COLUMBIA – Scammers are waiting for the Jan. 31 W-2 deadline to pass so they can start making their rounds.
The South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs urges consumers to be on guard against tax-time identity theft. 37 SC consumers reported being victims of some type of tax ID theft in 2022, and 33 specifically reported that someone had already used their Social Security number to file. This is the most common form of tax fraud.
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These tips can help consumers protect their refund and personal information this tax season:
- File early. File as early as possible. The IRS and the SCDOR are now accepting 2022 Individual Income Tax Returns. Identity thieves use consumer information to file fraudulent tax returns and steal refunds before the individual files.
- Watch out for IRS and tax imposter scams. Fraudsters often pose as the IRS or even as SCDOR to trick you into disclosing personal information or sending money. Remember: the IRS will not call about taxes without sending a notice through the mail first. Report IRS imposter scams to the Treasury Department. For more on how to avoid tax scams, visit SCDCA’s tax scams spotlight.
- File online in safety. When filing online, use anti-virus software and ensure the computer is connected to a secure internet connection. Use strong and unique…
