The IRS, state tax agencies and the nation’s tax industry are partnering again for the 9th annual National Tax Security Awareness Week, running from December 2-6, 2024. This annual event emphasizes the importance of protecting sensitive financial information from identity theft and tax scams, especially as the holidays and the 2025 tax season approach. Organized by the Security Summit – a coalition of IRS, state tax agencies, tax software providers, tax professionals and others in the tax community – this week offers educational materials and resources available 24/7 on IRS.gov to help taxpayers and tax professionals safeguard personal and financial data. On this page Beware of phishing as part of online safety Watch out for bad tax advice on social media Get an IP PIN and IRS Online Account How you can help combat scams and schemes Helpful resources Beware of phishing as part of online safety Taxpayers Identity thieves use phishing emails to trick users into giving up passwords and other information. Don’t take the bait — know the signs of identity theft. Scammers mislead you about tax refunds, credits and payments. They pressure you for money, personal, financial or employee information. IRS impersonators try to look like us. See Day 1: Beware of phishing schemes, especially on this date — Cyber Monday Learn how to recognize tax scams and report unsolicited email claiming to be from the IRS. Businesses and self-employed Identity theft is a serious threat to business, partnership, estate and trust filers. Thieves may steal sensitive information to file a fraudulent tax return for a refund or to commit other crimes. All taxpayers must be alert and on guard at all times. It is important to take strong security measures to protect your business' and your employees' data. See Day 4: Businesses and the self-employed need to beware of scams and schemes Discover how you can protect your business on Identity theft information for businesses Tax pros Cybercriminals target tax professionals because you are custodians of highly sensitive client data. They attempt to steal your client's personal financial information so they can create fraudulent tax returns and claim fake refunds. See Day 5: Tax pros need awareness of scams and schemes Watch out for bad tax advice on social media Social media can mislead you about tax credit or refund eligibility. Influencers may encourage you to falsify forms or put you in touch with scammers. They may claim the IRS is keeping a tax credit secret from you. See Day 2: Individuals should beware of social media schemes spreading misinformation and disinformation Learn how to recognize tax scams and fraud. Get an IP PIN and IRS Online Account IP PIN The IRS and the Security Summit partners encourage you to join the Identity Protection Personal Identification Number (IP PIN) program. An IRS IP PIN is a special six-digit number that helps prevent criminals from filling fraudulent federal income tax returns or stealing refunds using your personal information. IP PINs are unique because they are known only to the you and the IRS. The easiest and fastest way to get an IP PIN is with Get my IP PIN, which is available from mid-January through mid-November. IRS Online Account Set up an online IRS tax account. Your account is securely protected with multifactor authentication. Nobody can view your account unless you authorize them. You can monitor your tax account activity anytime. See Day 3 news release: How individuals should get their IP PIN and an IRS online account How you can help combat scams and schemes Take steps to limit damage and protect yourself from further loss if you lost money or personal information to a scammer. Find out what you can do if you were scammed to help combat or minimize damage. Helpful resources News releases IRS, Security Summit partners announce 9th annual National Tax Security Awareness Week starting Dec. 2 Day 1: Beware of phishing schemes, especially on this date – Cyber Monday Day 2: Individuals should beware of social media schemes spreading misinformation and disinformation Day 3: Individuals should get their IP PIN and an IRS Online Account Day 4: Businesses and the self-employed need to beware of scams and schemes Day 5: Tax pros need awareness of scams and schemes Ready-to-use articles Avoid fraud and tax-related identity theft with an IP PIN When to file a business identity theft affidavit with the IRS Tax pros: Encourage your clients to create an IRS Online Account Protect your business against data loss and fraud IRS Tax Pro Account: Another line of defense against data theft A Written Information Security Plan protects tax pros and their clients e-Posters Publication 4524, Taxes. Security. Together. Security Awareness For Taxpayers PDF Publication 5427, Tax scam alert: Signs of tax scams and actions you can take to protect yourself PDF Publication 5427-A, Tax scam alert: Signs of tax scams and actions you can take to protect yourself (Military/Veteran) PDF Publication 5461, Protect personal and financial information online PDF Publication 5461-A, Use multi-factor authentication PDF Publication 5461-B, Get an Identity Protection PIN PDF Publication 5461-C, Businesses should watch out for tax-related scams and implement safeguards PDF Publication 5461-D, Tax professionals should review their security protocols PDF Publication 5709, How to Create a Written Security Information Plan for Data Safety PDF Publication 5885, Tax Security Awareness Tips & Resources PDF Publication 5961, Protect your business from tax scams PDF Publications Publication 4557, Safeguarding Taxpayer Data: A Guide for Your Business PDF Publication 5293, Protect Your Clients; Protect Yourself - Data Security Resource Guide for Tax Professionals PDF Publication 5708, Creating a Written Information Security Plan for your Tax & Accounting Practice PDF YouTube videos National Tax Security Awareness Week Helpful links Security Summit Taxes. Security. Together. Tax scams resource center Identity Theft Central Dirty Dozen scams list Previous National Tax Security Awareness Week campaigns IRS social media
