Fraudsters are using your personal data against you this tax season, here’s how to stop them

Tax season brings more than just paperwork. It brings more scams, and retirees are in a different place. Criminals know that older Americans tend to expect a refund, may be less familiar with digital red flags, and often have stable incomes and good credit to steal.

The result: a barrage of fake IRS messages, identity theft schemes, and impersonation attempts that hit you hard. Incogni it gives you the power to do something about it, and 9to5Mac readers can save 58% with promo code 9 TO 5 MAC.

Today’s scams are surprisingly convincing

Gone are the days of obvious typos and questionable grammar. Modern tax scams are sophisticated. They use real IRS logos, official-looking case numbers, and emergency language designed to make you panic and act fast.

Common tactics include fake emails or texts that say your account is “under review” and ask you to verify personal information, false “delayed refund” warnings that pressure you to click on malicious links, and messages impersonating the IRS or Social Security Administration, often creating an emergency situation to shortchange your better judgment.

Here’s the part that catches many people off guard: scammers often include your real name, city, or other personal information in these messages.

That is not a coincidence. They buy that information from data vendors. These are companies that legally collect and sell personal data including your address, phone number, income estimates, and family contacts. That personal touch makes the scam feel real, and that’s the point.

You have more control than you might think

The good news is that you are powerless here. Most data brokers are legally required to remove your information if you ask. They just make the process so tedious that most people never bother.

Incogni it handles this for you by sending removal requests to more than 420 data brokers and checking that those companies comply. Plans start at just $6.39/month (billed annually), with family coverage options and ownership protection up to $1M available.

Simple steps to stay safe this tax season

You don’t need to be a cybersecurity expert to protect yourself. A few habits go a long way:

• Never click on links in tax-related emails or documents. Go directly to IRS.gov instead.
• Use strong, unique passwords for your tax software and email accounts.
• Enable two-factor authentication wherever available.
• Consider freezing your credit if you don’t apply for new accounts.
• Access your data from merchant sites, either manually or incognito.

Identity theft is financially and emotionally devastating, especially on fixed incomes. Taking a few quick steps now can save a lot of headaches later.

Incogni has already completed more than 245 million data deletion requests using privacy experts and their automated service. These affect more than 2400 sites, including private data brokers and malicious websites. Best of all, Incogni keeps you updated with progress reports along the way so you can take control of your personal data.

9to5Mac readers can get 58% off Incogni with code 9 TO 5 MAC.