‘Tiz the season to be thinking really hard about starting to get your income tax records together and file your taxes.  This is also a really good time to get scammed by companies trying to convince you that they are out to help you accomplish this task.

You can get mail (from the IRS) that says something like: “…after the last annual calculations of your fiscal activity we have determined that you are eligible to receive a tax refund of $63.80.”  All you have to do is send your social security number and bank routing number.  NOT!  The IRS will never contact you by mail telling you of a refund.

There is also a relatively new scam that directs you to a handy web form that you can use to check on the status of your tax return and refund.  Supposedly sent by the IRS.  All you need to do is fill it out with information like your social security number, credit card number, full name, etc.  Fill it in and it’s a guarantee that your identity is at risk and you’ll soon be in a world of hurt.

Again—the simple thing to remember is that NO institution (bank, credit union, investment firm, etc) that has sensitive information will ever ask you for it by email.  Not even by providing a link within the mail to click to get to their site.  Do not respond to these mails!