Once a cybercriminal has your name and Social Security number, he or she can file a tax return in your name by making up financial information that generates a large refund. Since the IRS doesn’t require W-2 forms when you file electronically, cyber criminals can commit electronic tax-refund fraud easier than paper tax fraud, especially since electronic tax-refund fraud is straightforward and hard to detect.
Tip: Be extremely protective of your personal information, and only share it with trusted sources, especially when using the Internet. Often, tax fraudsters will obtain your information through e-mail phishing, social engineering tactics, the black market, and other sources.