Stay alert for tax refund scams during tax filing season. A tax refund scam occurs when criminals pose as legitimate tax authorities to deceive individuals into sharing personal information, such as credit card or bank account details. Subsequently, these scammers exploit the obtained information to conduct unauthorized transactions on the victims’ accounts.
They may use various tactics to target potential victims, including emails, phone calls, SMS, or private messages on social media platforms. Additionally, they may lure individuals into clicking on unknown links to update their account information or to claim tax refund, redirecting them to fraudulent websites resembling official tax authority portals. In some cases, clicking on these links can also result in malware being installed on your device, allowing scammers to steal more information or hack into your email without your knowledge.
Things to keep in mind:
Always be cautious of unsolicited contacts claiming to be from tax authorities. Avoid clicking on suspicious links sent through messages or download as they might collect your information or downloading malware to your device.
Verify the source by contacting your tax agencies directly using official contact information to verify the authenticity. Visit official websites directly by typing the URL into your browser.
Keep yourself updated on common scam tactics and educate yourself about the latest trends in fraudulent activities, especially during tax season.
Only share sensitive personal information with trusted sources, scammers can use it for identity theft or other fraud.
Do not make rush decisions and refuse pressure to act immediately. Take your time to make an informed decision.
Use reputable antivirus and anti-malware software to protect your devices from malicious software that could compromise your information.
Rest assured that CelcomDigi is actively taking measures to ensure our customers do not fall prey to such scams.