Get Transcript – Computer Security Articles

File Your Taxes Before Scammers Do It For You

January 29, 2018 admin Equifax, Get Transcript, irs, security freeze, tax refun fraud, tax refund fraud, The Coming Storm

Credit to Author: BrianKrebs| Date: Mon, 29 Jan 2018 14:44:23 +0000

Today, Jan. 29, is officially the first day of the 2018 tax-filing season, also known as the day that fraudsters start requesting phony tax refunds in the names of identity theft victims. Want to minimize the chances of getting hit by tax refund fraud this year? File your taxes before the bad guys can! Tax refund fraud affects hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of U.S. citizens annually. Victims usually first learn of the crime after having their returns rejected because scammers beat them to it. Even those who are not required to file a return can be victims of refund fraud, as can those who are not actually due a refund from the IRS.

Independent Krebs

Student Aid Tool Held Key for Tax Fraudsters

March 21, 2017 admin FAFSA, Free Application for Federal Financial Aid, Get Transcript, irs, IRS Data Retrieval Tool, Other, The Wall Street Journal, U.S. Department of Education, w-2 phishing

Credit to Author: BrianKrebs| Date: Tue, 21 Mar 2017 19:07:14 +0000

Citing concerns over criminal activity and fraud, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has disabled an automated tool on its Web site that was used to help students and their families apply for federal financial aid. The removal of the tool has created unexpected hurdles for many families hoping to qualify for financial aid, but the action also eliminated a key source of data that fraudsters could use to conduct tax refund fraud. Last week, the IRS and the Department of Education said in a joint statement that they were temporarily shutting down the IRS’s Data Retrieval Tool. The service was designed to make it easier to complete the Education Department’s Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) — a lengthy form that serves as the starting point for students seeking federal financial assistance to pay for college or career school.