IR-2018-157, July 31, 2018 Español

WASHINGTON — The IRS and its Security Summit partners today reminded tax professionals that being targeted by spear phishing emails remains the most common way data thieves enter practitioner's digital networks and steal client information.

Tax professionals who fall victim to spear phishing tactics voluntarily disclose sensitive password information or voluntarily download malicious software, enabling thieves to breach their security systems. The Internal Revenue Service, state tax agencies and the nation's tax industry offer another reminder: Tax professionals themselves must be the first line of defense in protecting client data.

This is the fourth in a series called "Protect Your Clients; Protect Yourself: Tax Security 101." The Security Summit awareness campaign is intended to provide tax professionals with the basic information they need to better protect taxpayer data and to help prevent the filing of fraudulent tax returns. Read full article.