Tomorrow is the deadline to file your taxes (or file for an extension – Huliq tells you how to do that here). This time of year always brings out the frantic procrastinators who scurry to the post office with 11 minutes to spare before the clock runs out, and it also brings out a fresh crop of identity theft attempts.

First, the spammers: If you receive an email that promises to help you get your tax refund quickly, claims to offer a tax filing service that’s faster than anyone else’s, claims to be from the IRS, or guarantees you a tax payout, delete it. Do not click any links, do not open any attachments, and do not believe what you read. The IRS does not send emails asking for your personal info, and neither do reputable tax preparation companies. Just like the economic stimulus spams of a few months ago, these spam messages are designed to play on the average American’s desire for an easy and quick tax rebate. Most people view doing their taxes as a hassle, and anything that promises to make that process easier is a tempting offer for some. Too tempting for the spammers and identity thieves to ignore the potential there.

Second, take care of your own records the same way you do the rest of the year, with common-sense techniques. Use precautions when sending, filing and storing your tax documents. Don’t put sensitive documents into your own mailbox for mailing; take them to the post office if you can. Don’t leave documents lying around at work or in your car, where people might find or steal them. If you e-file, don’t leave sensitive information on your hard drive, especially if it’s a shared computer. Overall, be cautious and safe! Tax time is just like any other time: Don’t leave your personal information out there for anyone to find.

If you want to help fight identity theft, you can forward suspected spam emails to spam@uce.gov. You can also spread the word to your friends and family about being safe with their own tax documents. And of course, you can sign up for the Privacy Council’s List Removal Service to reduce the junk mail, spam and telemarketing calls you receive. Sign up today to do yourself (and the environment) a favor!