Identity Theft Spikes Due to COVID-19 Relief

Cases of identity theft in the United States doubled in 2020, mainly due to cybercriminals taking advantage of people affected economically by COVID-19 who filed to receive government benefits. This is according to the Federal Trade Commission FTC, which received about 1.4 million reports of...

Hackers Dumpster Dive for Taxpayer Data in COVID-19 Relief Money Scams

Threat actors are using a combination of scams to obtain as well as buy and sell credentials for U.S. taxpayers to steal appropriations from the COVID-19 relief package as well as 2020 tax refunds, new research has found. Researchers from Secureworks Counter Threat Unit CTU have observed an...

IRS Security Summit Series for Tax Professionals: Create a Data Theft Recovery Plan

The fifth and final step in the Internal Revenue Service IRS Security Summit series for tax professionals is creating a data theft recovery plan. IRS issued a news release highlighting the importance of understanding the risks posed by national and international cybersecurity criminal syndicates,...

IRS Reminds Tax Professionals: Create a Data Security Plan

The Internal Revenue Service IRS has issued a news release reminding professional tax preparers that they are required by law to have a written data security plan. Creating and maintaining a data security plan ensures that tax professionals are reviewing their data security protections and...

IRS Releases Six Cybersecurity Safeguards

The Internal Revenue Service IRS has issued a news release outlining six cybersecurity safeguards to protect computers, email, and sensitive data. The recommendations are part of the Taxes. Security. Together. Checklist, which the IRS created to help tax professionals protect sensitive taxpayer...

IRS Security Deficiencies May Put Taxpayer Data At Risk

Information security failings are making it impossible for the U.S. Internal Revenue Service IRS to get its financial house in order and could be putting taxpayers’ sensitive information at risk, according to a financial audit of the agency by the Government Accountability Office GAO. Deficiencie...

IRS Security Holes Put Taxpayer Data At Risk

With the deadline for filing U.S. tax returns fast approaching, the U.S. Government’s watchdog agency warns that the Internal Revenue Service still hasn’t implemented steps to secure its IT infrastructure and protect taxpayers’ financial data. The U.S. Government Accountability Office GAO issued ...