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About Cottage Grove sentinel. (Cottage Grove, Or.) 1909-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 13, 2020)
4C | THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2020 | COTTAGE GROVE SENTINEL City of Cottage Grove issues tax scam warning at a cost. Public Wi-Fi is By Damien Sherwood not secure and is suscep- dsherwood@cgsentinel.com tible to eavesdropping by hackers, therefore, never Tax season is in full use public Wi-Fi to file swing, which means taxes. criminals will go to great • Look for clear signs. lengths to separate tax- Common scams will tout payers from their mon- tax rebates, offer great ey, identity or anything deals on tax of value that preparation or is within their Often times, criminals will lure victims in with an offer a free tax reach. offer of larger write-offs or refunds. Such scams might calculator tool. Scammers may offer seemingly include fake websites and tax forms that look like they If tion the is informa- unsolic- legitimate “tax ited, it’s likely a services” that are belong to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) scam. actually designed • Be on the to steal an identi- • Secure your comput- watch for fake IRS scams. or consequences if no re- ty and tax refund. Often times, criminals sponse is received, such er. Ensure your comput- The IRS will not con- will lure victims in with as additional taxes or er has the latest security tact you via email, text an offer of larger write- blocking access to your updates installed. Check messaging or your so- that anti-virus and an- cial network. Nor does offs or refunds. Such funds. • Emails from the IRS ti-spyware software are it advertise on websites. scams might include fake websites and tax forms or federal agencies. The running properly and Additionally, if an email that look like they belong IRS will not contact any- receiving automatic up- appears to be from an dates from the vendor. If employer or bank claim- to the Internal Revenue one via email. • Emails containing ex- not already done, install ing there is an issue that Service (IRS) in order requires verification of to trick unsuspecting citing offers, tax refunds, and enable a firewall. • Carefully select sites personal information, taxpayers into providing incorrect spelling, gram- mar or odd phrasing visited. Safely searching this is most likely a scam personal information. for tax forms, advice on as well. Don’t respond Due to the rise in throughout. deductibles, tax prepar- to these types of emails; • Emails discussing data breaches, it is rec- ommended to always “changes to tax laws.” ers and other similar always contact the entity take steps to minimize These email scams typ- topics requires great cau- directly. • Always utilize strong the risk of identity theft ically include a down- tion. Never visit a site by and other online-related loadable document (usu- clicking on a link sent passwords. Cybercrim- crimes; this is especially ally in PDF format) that in an email, found on inals have developed important this time of purports to explain the someone’s blog or in an programs that automate advertisement. The web- the ability to guess pass- new tax laws. the year. However, unbe- sites connected to these words. Below are some warn- For the best protection, ing signs to look for and knownst to many, these links might look like le- basic precautions one downloads are almost gitimate sites, but can make passwords difficult can take to minimize risk always populated with also be very well-crafted to guess. Passwords should have and avoid becoming a malware that, once fakes. • Be wise with Wi-Fi. a minimum of nine char- downloaded, will infect a victim. Wi-Fi hotspots are in- acters and include up- computer. tended to provide con- percase and lowercase Warning Signs of an How to Avoid Being the venient access to the letters, numbers and Online Tax Scam internet, however, this symbols. • An email or link re- Victim • Never send sensi- convenience can come questing personal and/ or financial information, such as your name, social security number, bank or credit card account num- bers or any additional security-related informa- tion. • Emails containing various forms of threats tive information in an email. Information sent through email can be in- tercepted by criminals. Make sure to consistently check financial account statements and credit re- ports for any signs of un- authorized activity. Call Anytime For A Private Showing EVERYONE DESERVES A GREAT SMILE! 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