Skip to main content

Don’t Let Scammers Claim Your Information This Tax Season

It’s that time of year again – tax time. And it’s also scammers’ favorite time to impersonate online tax services, the IRS and yes, even Summit, to try to trick you into giving out personal and private information.Remember these tips to avoid scam attempts:
  • Offers of massive tax returns that sound too good to be true usually are. Social media ads can mislead you about credits and refunds, putting you in touch with someone (a scammer!) to help you claim these offers.
  • True tax professionals would never demand you pay returns now “or else.” Scammers like to add a high-pressure threat, like arrest or deportation, to try to make you pay up before thinking through the situation.
  • Don’t click on any links you receive in texts or emails or see on social media. Instead, search for the business or organization yourself to find their actual website.
  • Summit Credit Union will NEVER ask for your personal information through an email, online chat, or unsolicited phone call, text or visit. That’s always a red flag, no matter what.
Plus, keep these tips in mind for protecting your information from scammers in the first place:Place a credit freeze on your report with all three credit bureaus for FREE. This can be done separately through each bureau's website (Equifax.com, Experian.com and TransUnion.com). When you're ready to apply for credit, simply log into each site and "unfreeze" your report before submitting an application.Don’t overshare on social media. Use privacy settings to hide your birthdate, employer, family members or other identifying info. And think twice before joining the trend of sharing your “list of favorites” or your first pet, car, job, etc. Secure your devices. Even if public Wi-Fi requires a password, it doesn’t mean it’s secure. Avoid accessing financial accounts or shopping online unless you’re using a secured website. Also, make sure your devices are password-protected (typically done in your device’s settings) and have the latest anti-virus software.If you think you’ve been a victim of a scam, reach out to us right away at 800 236 5560. And if you’ve experienced a fraud attempt or have heard about a scam you’d like to report, email us at . Please do not email any private or personal information.

Want more fraud-fighting tips?
Keep exploring more ways to .

Sources:
 You might also be interested in Fraudsters are posing as the FBI or major companies to steal money—never send cash or wires to unknown callers... When you get an out-of-the-blue text, phone call or email, do you sometimes wonder if it’s really who it says it is? Hey, it’s smart to be cautious! Fraudsters... It’s that time of year again – tax time. And it’s also scammers’ favorite time to impersonate online tax services, the IRS and yes, even Summit, to try... Hosting dinner parties. Heading to your in-laws’. Hustling to order those perfect gifts. It’s the season for cheer and goodwill, and unfortunately also... Scammers are getting better and better at making fake links look legit. So before you click on that URL (the string of letters that makes up a web address)... Hey there, fellow fraud-fighters! Have five minutes to bust some common myths about scams? Because the more you know, the more you can stop fraudsters... For many, Social Security is a main source of income later in life, and no one wants to lose out on those funds or a perceived opportunity for more benefits... If there’s anything we know for sure about scammers, it’s that they’re going to take advantage of new technology. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is creating... With over 500 million daily active users, Instagram has become a popular app for sharing photos, connecting with friends and even following the lives of...