The Internal Revenue Service is urging Americans to stay vigilant against scams—and, concurrently, has unveiled a new web web page that allows taxpayers to confidentially report suspected tax fraud, scams, evasion, or other tax-related legal actions.

“Improvements to the IRS fraud reporting system make reporting suspected wrongdoing easier and simpler, and will address historic challenges that have prevented the IRS from making maximum use of the referrals it receives,” said IRS Chief Executive Officer Frank J. Bisignano.

“By reporting suspected tax fraud or scams, taxpayers play an important role in uncovering fraud and supporting the integrity of the nation’s tax system.”

What is the IRS fraud reporting system?

The newly launched webpage combines a number of IRS fraud-reporting channels into a centralized hub, simplifying the course of for taxpayers to flag suspicious exercise, according to the release.

The goal of the new platform is to make it more environment friendly for taxpayers to report suspected tax fraud, scams, evasion, or other tax-related legal conduct.

The IRS intends to reinforce fraud reporting by minimizing paperwork, automating procedures, and implementing superior case management technology to better make the most of referrals in combating criminality.

What further measures can shield you from scammers?

Last yr, the IRS suggested taxpayers and tax professionals to implement extra safeguards to guard their financial and tax info.

The company recommends that people acquire an identification safety PIN, a six-digit code that prevents anybody else from submitting a tax return utilizing a taxpayer’s Social Security quantity or particular person taxpayer identification quantity.

If taxpayers have not yet secured an IP PIN, they will request one as a safety measure to guard themselves from tax-related identification theft.

Misleading tax steerage on social media can confuse taxpayers about their eligibility for a credit score or refund. Influencers would possibly persuade taxpayers to falsify tax paperwork or suggest the IRS is hiding a tax credit score from them.

The IRS warned that social media content might join taxpayers with fraudsters.

The IRS persistently cautions against phishing emails and smishing texts, which symbolize prevalent strategies criminals make use of to acquire private and financial data.

Scams concentrating on companies and tax professionals

The IRS reminds tax professionals of their legal obligation to have a Written Information Security Plan and to make use of multi-factor authentication.