Modern times have seen great advancements in digital technology and with that, an unfortunate rise in intricate cyber crimes such as identity theft. As acclaimed legal source JDSupra reported recently, vulnerability to these crimes has alerted tax professionals and individual taxpayers across the globe. As a part of their special summer series, the IRS has highlighted some key reminders in a bid to buttress our defenses against frauduality.
Most notably, these advisories extend toward remaining cautious of email attachments and web links. Amid the volume of work email correspondence, many are prone to absentmindedly accessing the contents of an email. The IRS emphasizes the need to maintain a vigilant stance toward unexpected links or attachments—opening these without a careful analysis can expose the user’s private data to malicious parties, thereby increasing the risk of identity theft.
Alongside this, tax professionals have been given specific direction to abstain from sharing sensitive information on unsecured platforms. An increasingly digital work environment makes this an increasingly important aspect of best practices. When in doubt, professionals are advised to always verify the authenticity of the recipient and the platform before transmitting critical data.
Given the sophistication of cyber criminals, it is incumbent upon both professionals and taxpayers to adhere to these guidelines strictly. A lax approach to digital security may carry grave repercussions, ranging from financial loss to serious compromising of an individual’s privacy. As reiterated by the IRS, and via the reporting on JDSupra: a cautious, educated, and prepared approach is the key to mitigating the risk of identity theft.