By LIDDE MARTINEZ
President, Los Alamos Region
Enterprise Bank & Trust, Member FDIC

This week is National Identity Theft Awareness week. Millions of consumers’ personal information is stolen each year, especially during tax season, according to the U.S. Department of Treasury. Thankfully, there are simple steps that can help protect you and your finances from scammers. 

A very common form of tax identity theft is when someone files a fraudulent tax return using personal information, like a Social Security number, to get a tax refund. Once tax identity thieves have your personal information, they can use it to commit other forms of identity theft, such as opening new financial accounts in your name. 

Tax scammers will often pose as the IRS to call and say that you owe taxes, threatening to arrest you if you don’t pay with prepaid debit cards or credit cards. They may already know some information about you, and can manipulate caller ID to make it look like the call is coming from the IRS. It’s important to note that the IRS will never ask you to pay with prepaid debit cards or wire transfers, and won’t ask for a credit card number over the phone. If the IRS needs to contact you, they will first do it by mail.

When you file, make sure to use a secure internet connection or mail your tax return directly from the post office to make it more difficult for thieves to get their hands on your personal information. Always protect your Social Security number; avoid giving it out unless necessary and always ask why it’s needed, how it’s going to be used and how it will be stored. 

As another precaution, be sure to shred old tax returns as well as draft returns and calculation sheets. Ask for recommendations and research tax preparers before you turn your personal information over to them. If you or someone you know has experienced identity theft, visit IdentityTheft.gov to report it and get a personal recovery plan. I wish all of our clients and community members a safe and happy start to 2024.