Blog Post  Take These Steps to Safeguard Tax Information

Cybersecurity threats are constantly evolving. Understanding these threats and their consequences is crucial in today's high-tech world.

Identity theft victims often experience:

• Stress
• Financial distress and
• Damaged credit ratings.

However, you are not powerless. Taking simple steps can go a long way toward protecting your personal information.

10 Steps to Protect Yourself

1. Use a virtual private network (VPN) to encrypt your data and mask your identity and location. 
2. Avoid clicking on website “pop-ups,” including those related to VPN or security software notifications.
3. To protect your accounts, use multi-factor authentication (MFA), also known as two-step verification (2SV). 
4. MFA/2SV prevents scammers from accessing your accounts even if your password is compromised, as they are unlikely to have your phone number to retrieve the security code.
5. Use strong passwords that are random, unique, and long, including special characters and numbers.
6. The IRS and MA DOR do not initiate contact with taxpayers via email, text message, or social media to request personal or financial information.
7. If you receive such requests, please send them to CTREmergencyNotification@mass.gov.
8. Learn how to spot phishing emails.
9. Participate in DOR’s Fraud Prevention Program.
10. For business owners, review the security measures outlined in the IRS’s Safeguarding Taxpayer Data. 

Additional Help

If you suspect your organization has experienced a data breach, contact the:

• Office of the Attorney General or
• Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation.