Drew Mariani had credit expert Paul Oster on the show to share some hard-hitting truth about tax scams and identity theft. If you haven’t filed your taxes yet, be aware that the scammers are out there. 😳

 

You can listen to the whole hour of conversation here!

 

📌 What’s the Big Deal?

 

With most of us filing taxes online, scammers are having a field day. They’re filing fake returns using stolen Social Security numbers, pocketing your refund, and wrecking your credit. All while you’re left trying to untangle the mess. 😩

 

👉 According to an Allstate survey, 2 out of 3 Americans are freaking out about their personal info being compromised during tax season. They’re not wrong to worry.

 

 

🔒 Paul Oster’s Top Tips to Stay Safe:

 

Set Up an IRS PIN:

 

-This PIN is like a secret password that prevents scammers from filing fake returns under your name.

 

-📌 How? Go to irs.gov and create your PIN. Keep it somewhere safe! 🙏

 

Create Your IRS e-File Account:

 

-Even if you use a tax preparer, you need this account. Otherwise, scammers can set one up in your name and steal your info. 😬

 

-Pro tip: If they create it first, you’re basically handing them the keys to your financial life. 

 

Check Your Credit Regularly:

 

-Thanks to the pandemic, you can now check your credit every week for free at annualcreditreport.com.

 

-Look for weird addresses or unfamiliar accounts. If you see anything off, act fast. 🚨

 

Don’t Fall for Phishing & Smishing Scams:

 

-Scammers love urgent texts about road tolls, bank fraud, or unpaid taxes.

 

-Rule #1: Never click links or call numbers from unsolicited messages.

 

-Rule #2: Always contact official sources directly.

 

 

The Dark Web Nightmare:

 

Paul Oster explained that stolen info usually gets sold on the dark web for about 10 bucks. That’s right. Your Social Security number is worth about as much as a breakfast. ☕🥐

 

The really bad news is that 97% of people who’ve done anything online (banking, shopping, etc.) have their info floating around out there. 😱

 

 

🔑 Password Safety Tips:

 

-Use Password Managers: Paul Oster says they’re worth it, but only if you stick to the big names like Norton or McAfee.

 

-Change Your Passwords Regularly: If you don’t, you become an easy target. 🪤

 

 

📬 The Safe Way to File?

 

Honestly, snail mail 📮 is still one of the safest ways to file. Yeah, it’s old school, but it works.

 

 

Final Word of Advice:

 

Stay vigilant, proactive, and paranoid enough to double check everything. The bad guys are smart, but you can be smarter. 🧠💪

 

 

The best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.

Drew Mariani had credit expert Paul Oster on the show to share some hard-hitting truth about tax scams and identity theft. If you haven&rsquo;t filed your taxes yet, be aware that the scammers are out there. 😳
&nbsp;
You can listen to <a href="https://relevantradio.com/2025/03/tax-season-and-identity-theft/">the whole hour of conversation here!</a>
&nbsp;
📌 What&rsquo;s the Big Deal?
&nbsp;
With most of us filing taxes online, scammers are having a field day. They&rsquo;re filing fake returns using stolen Social Security numbers, pocketing your refund, and wrecking your credit. All while you&rsquo;re left trying to untangle the mess. 😩
&nbsp;
👉 According to an Allstate survey, 2 out of 3 Americans are freaking out about their personal info being compromised during tax season. They&rsquo;re&nbsp;not wrong to worry.
&nbsp;
<hr data-start="814" data-end="817">
&nbsp;
🔒&nbsp;Paul Oster&rsquo;s Top Tips to Stay Safe:
&nbsp;
Set Up an IRS PIN:
&nbsp;
-This PIN is like a secret password that prevents scammers from filing fake returns under your name.
&nbsp;
-📌 How? Go to <a href="https://www.irs.gov" data-start="1026" data-end="1056">irs.gov</a> and create your PIN. Keep it somewhere safe! 🙏
&nbsp;
Create Your IRS e-File Account:
&nbsp;
-Even if you use a tax preparer, you need this account. Otherwise, scammers can set one up in your name and steal your info. 😬
&nbsp;
-Pro tip: If they create it first, you&rsquo;re basically handing them the keys to your financial life.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
Check Your Credit Regularly:
&nbsp;
-Thanks to the pandemic, you can now check your credit every week for free at <a href="https://www.annualcreditreport.com" data-start="1548" data-end="1608">annualcreditreport.com</a>.
&nbsp;
-Look for weird addresses or unfamiliar accounts. If you see anything off, act fast. 🚨
&nbsp;
Don&rsquo;t Fall for Phishing &amp; Smishing Scams:
&nbsp;
-Scammers love urgent texts about road tolls, bank fraud, or unpaid taxes.
&nbsp;
-Rule #1: Never click links or call numbers from unsolicited messages.
&nbsp;
-Rule #2: Always contact official sources directly.
&nbsp;
<hr data-start="1990" data-end="1993">
&nbsp;
The Dark Web Nightmare:
&nbsp;
Paul Oster explained that stolen info usually gets sold on the dark web for about&nbsp;10 bucks. That&rsquo;s right. Your Social Security number is worth about as much as a breakfast. ☕🥐
&nbsp;
The really bad news is that&nbsp;97% of people who&rsquo;ve done anything online (banking, shopping, etc.) have their info floating around out there. 😱
&nbsp;
<hr data-start="2367" data-end="2370">
&nbsp;
🔑&nbsp;Password Safety Tips:
&nbsp;
-Use Password Managers: Paul Oster says they&rsquo;re worth it, but only if you stick to the big names like&nbsp;Norton or McAfee.
&nbsp;
-Change Your Passwords Regularly: If you don&rsquo;t, you become an easy target. 🪤
&nbsp;
<hr data-start="2619" data-end="2622">
&nbsp;
📬&nbsp;The Safe Way to File?
&nbsp;
Honestly, snail mail 📮 is still one of the safest ways to file. Yeah, it&rsquo;s old school, but it works.
&nbsp;
<hr data-start="2764" data-end="2767">
&nbsp;
Final Word of Advice:
&nbsp;
Stay vigilant, proactive, and paranoid enough to double check everything. The bad guys are smart, but you can be smarter. 🧠💪
&nbsp;
&nbsp;
The&nbsp;best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It&rsquo;s free and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out <a href="https://relevantradio.com/listen/get-the-app/">here</a>.

Life can get busy, and it's easy to miss out on the captivating moments from your favorite Relevant Radio shows. But now, we've got you covered! "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" brings you the crème de la crème of Relevant Radio's programming. We carefully curate and compile the most engaging and relevant content from the past week, just for you! Get ready to catch up on faith, culture, current events, and personal growth, all in one convenient and easily accessible podcast. It's like having a front-row seat to the most compelling moments from Relevant Radio's diverse range of shows. So, whether you're an active Relevant Radio listener or new to our programming, "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" is your passport to a world of knowledge, growth, and inspiration.

Life can get busy, and it's easy to miss out on the captivating moments from your favorite Relevant Radio shows. But now, we've got you covered! "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" brings you the crème de la crème of Relevant Radio's programming. We carefully curate and compile the most engaging and relevant content from the past week, just for you! Get ready to catch up on faith, culture, current events, and personal growth, all in one convenient and easily accessible podcast. It's like having a front-row seat to the most compelling moments from Relevant Radio's diverse range of shows. So, whether you're an active Relevant Radio listener or new to our programming, "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" is your passport to a world of knowledge, growth, and inspiration.