Today I received an email from my bank stating that my tax papers are ready for me to download.
I know that my bank physically mails me those papers, so I looked a little closer and it turns out that it’s a fake email that is disguised to steal my bank log in information. If you’re savvy with your email check out the email header info to see where the email is really from. That email looked very legit. It contained lots of official looking images and verbiage that financial institutions would use. So be careful out there. Those bad people know tax season is near so they’re out there to steal information from you.
If you’re unsure whether your bank email message is legit go directly to your bank website by manually opening up your web browser and typing in your username and password on a home computer. Keep in mind that the web address to any bank log in will start with HTTPS in addition to an image of a padlock.
If it doesn’t then close your browser and make sure you typed in the correct address. Most bank web access accounts should have an inbox that contains official emails from the banks itself. If you’re still paranoid go directly to your bank branch and request any tax papers you need.