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cover of episode How to Protect Your Tax Refund From Scammers

How to Protect Your Tax Refund From Scammers

2025/3/25
logo of podcast WSJ Your Money Briefing

WSJ Your Money Briefing

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Laura Saunders
M
Mariana Aspuru
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Mariana Aspuru: 骗子正在利用真实个人的基本信息提交虚假纳税申报单来窃取他们的退款。这可能会导致身份验证和退款返还过程变得非常复杂,耗时可能长达两年。这对骗子来说是一个快速获利的途径,因为他们只需要获取你的个人信息,例如姓名、出生日期、社会安全号码和地址,然后在纳税季初以你的名义申请退款,国税局可能会将退款发送给他们。 Laura Saunders: 我对税务身份盗窃的担忧程度中等偏上,因为虽然这种情况并非总是发生,但一旦发生,就会造成巨大的麻烦,解决问题可能需要很长时间,并且与国税局沟通处理起来很困难。为了主动预防税务身份盗窃,我申请了IP PIN,这是一种可以防止骗子提交虚假纳税申报的PIN码。国税局鼓励每个人都获取IP PIN。获取IP PIN需要通过ID.me进行身份验证,这让我有些担心个人信息安全,因为需要向一家私人公司提供个人信息,但权衡之下,我认为这是值得的。通过ID.me进行身份验证的过程相对快捷方便,大约花费了不到半小时。ID.me声称会在验证后24小时内销毁生物识别信息。可以为家庭成员申请IP PIN,但未成年人需要通过其他途径申请。虽然已经为本人申请了IP PIN,但仍需等待报税结果才能完全安心。

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Chapters
This podcast discusses the increasing problem of tax refund scams, where fraudsters file fake tax returns using stolen personal information to claim refunds. The process of resolving identity theft and recovering a stolen refund can take up to two years, and the podcast will feature an interview with tax reporter Laura Saunders to explain how to protect yourself.
  • Scammers file fake tax returns using real people's information to steal refunds.
  • Resolving identity theft and recovering a refund can take up to two years.
  • The IRS may send the refund to the scammer if they successfully file a fraudulent return.

Shownotes Transcript

The IRS is encouraging taxpayers to apply for a six-digit IP PIN) to protect their refund from fraudsters. Host Ariana Aspuru is joined by Wall Street Journal tax reporter Laura Saunders, who walks us through the online process of applying for this extra level of protection.  

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Further Listening: 

Tax Season 2025: What’s New That Could Save You Money

Your Cheat Sheet to Taxes for Investors

How Owning a Home Can Help You Save on Taxes)   

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