Tax day is coming: How to protect your identity and refund from online scammers

(BPT) - Filing taxes online has made an often-dreaded task easier and more convenient. However, it's important to be aware of heightened cyber security risks during tax season that could lead to identity theft. In 2023, the IRS flagged over a million tax returns for possible identity theft and found a 31% increase in fraudulent returns from the previous year.

With a large majority of taxpayers opting to file electronically, the threat of cybercriminals using your SSN to file and steal your return is real. The experts at LifeLock have pro tips on how to safeguard your identity by learning about common scams and the steps to take to keep your information safe during tax season.