Tax Day 2024 is approaching, and the IRS is warning taxpayers to be extra vigilant against savvy scammers aiming to steal personal information.

The Turn to Tara team investigated how to spot a cyber scam and better protect your personal information.

Jay Dorso, CEO of Connecticut-based financial management company Quality Senior Benefits, emphasizes the increasing prevalence of tax-related identity theft across the tri-state area.

"They're out there more than ever right now. It's a sad reality. But scammers are extremely smart people, but they're smart at not doing what's right. You have to try to be a step ahead of them if possible," says Dorso.

To stay ahead of cyber scams, Dorso advises being wary of inconsistencies in emails or texts, as research shows an 80% decrease in falling victim to fake tax refunds if detected. He underscores that the real IRS will never contact individuals via email, text message, or social media to request sensitive information.

"If they're going to reach out to you, it'll come in certified mail only. That's how they're going to want to communicate with people. Anything but that, have your guard up," Dorso explains.

Additional steps individuals can take include setting up two-step authorization for tax prep software like TurboTax or TaxAct, as well as enrolling in an IP PIN directly through the IRS website for added protection.

However, sometimes individuals may not realize they've been targeted by scammers. Dorso highlights red flags to watch out for, such as receiving IRS notices about online account activity or being unable to e-file tax returns due to duplicate Social Security numbers. In such cases, Dorso emphasizes the importance of reporting the incident to both the IRS and the Federal Trade Commission.

Last year, the IRS flagged over 1 million tax returns as potentially fraudulent, totaling over $6 billion in refunds. With cyber scams on the rise, Dorso warns that this number is expected to increase this year.