How to protect yourself from drop account fraud -- tips from our investigative unit

The types of crimes that use drop accounts are multiplying rapidly, but there are ways to decrease your chances of becoming a victim.

Protect your identity online by following these steps

To prevent fraud involving a tax return refund or any other tax issue

• Complete and send in your tax return as early as possible, which makes it more difficult for someone to steal your refund.
• Establish an identity protection PIN with the IRS^[1], which only you and the agency will know.
• If the IRS rejects your attempt to file your tax return, or if you receive any unusual mail from the agency such as a tax transcript you didn’t request, or it notifies you of suspicious activity, contact the agency at the number listed here^[2] to report possible identity theft.
• Pay any taxes owed online^[3], not by check.

To prevent losses through business email compromise scams

• Learn and teach employees basic email safety techniques.
• Confirm urgent emails from supervisors or vendors demanding immediate wire transfers. In fact, urgent requests are the most suspicious.
• Assure employees that double-checking whether these purportedly urgent emails came from the listed sender will not result in criticism or punishment.
• Never purchase a gift card requested by a supervisor through email or text.

- Human resources officials should never change bank accounts for direct deposit if employees ask by email or text. Always call to double-check that the request is real.