What if someone steals your personal information to file a fake tax return and receive a refund?

As an advocate for taxpayers, I want to help you spot potential scams and fight imposters’ attempts to steal your information.

Our state has been ranked 5th for states with the most identity theft and fraud.

Keep these tips in mind:

1. File your return early.

You may not know you’re a victim of tax identity theft until your return is rejected as a duplicate filing or the Internal Revenue Service notifies you by mail of suspicious activity. Filing early helps limit this risk, as it gives scammers less time to file a fraudulent return using your information. Information about filing options is at www.dor.sc.gov/iit-filing .

2. Choose your tax preparer wisely. Most preparers provide outstanding and professional tax service.

Yet each year, some taxpayers are hurt financially by choosing the wrong preparer to file their return.

Do diligent research and choose wisely as you’ll be sharing your most personal financial information.

3. Know the signs of an IRS imposter. IRS impersonators may call saying you owe money and must pay right away. The real IRS does not call and won’t demand money.

Information about recent tax scams at www.IRS.gov .

4. Protect your personal information. Be diligent in storing documents with sensitive information in a secure place. When no longer needed, shred them.

See the IRS Security Awareness for Taxpayers for additional steps to take.

5. Ensure your computer is protected. The SC Department of Revenue recommends filing online using a reIAL putable provider. But your computer must be protected. Only use secure, protected Wi-Fi networks – never public Wi-Fi networks – and only give information over encrypted websites. Use the SCDOR Cyber Security Awareness resource center, which offers important information on this.