(WAND) - With the tax-filing deadline approaching, Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul reminds residents to take extra steps to avoid identity theft.
Raoul said the best way to be safe is to protect your personal information.
He also encourages people to take advantage of free resources to make informed choices.
Raoul urges those to do their research before handing over any personal information to a tax preparer.
Protect your Social Security number and don't give it out unless you have a good reason.
Watch out for potential scammers acting as the IRS, who will never ask for gift cards, crypto, or prepaid debit cards.
Also consider getting an identity protection pin, a six-digit number that prevents someone else from filing a tax return using your Social Security number.
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