Lansing, MI – With Michigan individual income tax filing season winding down, the Michigan Department of Treasury is reminding Michiganders to be cybersecurity aware and prepared to fight tax-related identity theft.
Cybercriminals are constantly using new tricks and tactics online to obtain personal information so they can fraudulently file state income tax returns and claim refunds on behalf of unsuspecting taxpayers.
Typically, cybercriminals try to create a sense of urgency to incite an immediate response from taxpayers, such as alluding to taking criminal actions against you for failing to respond. Often, the taxpayer is already a victim of identity theft when a cybercriminal attempts to claim a state tax refund.
Taxpayers are also reminded to be safe online by using secure, password protected networks, accounts and devices, and ignoring pop-up links, open attachments and emails from strange accounts. As an additional layer of taxpayer protection, the Treasury sends confirmation quiz letters to some taxpayers to help prevent the loss of state income tax refunds.
This measure is to protect your refund and ensure it is going to you, not someone trying to fraudulently collect your tax refund. To learn more about the state Treasury Department, go to Michigan.gov/Treasury or follow at MI Treasury on X or LinkedIn.
Additional information about state individual income taxes can be found at Michigan.gov/IncomeTax.
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