FINANCE

From filed to fraud

Having someone file taxes on your behalf isn’t as relaxing as it sounds.

Tax-return fraud remains a high-impact risk, according to the IRS and industry pros who spoke with IT Brew.

“That is arguably one of the number-one issues impacting the largest number of taxpayers,” Eric Bronnenkant, head of tax at investment app Betterment, told IT Brew.

In 2023, IRS Criminal Investigation (CI) led 1,409 tax crime investigations and discovered $5.5 billion in tax fraud, according to a January 29 post from the agency.

“Tax crimes surge during filing season because criminals steal unknowing taxpayers’ information, hack into the servers of CPA firms and tax preparation services and victimize unsuspecting taxpayers with the false promise of huge tax refunds,” CI Chief Jim Lee said in the release.

For victims, recovery from identity fraud can take months, or even years.

Read more here.—BH

Do you work in IT or have information about your IT department you want to share? Email [email protected].

PRESENTED BY AMAZON WEB SERVICES

Data and AI and analytics, oh my!

What’s your favorite new tech innovation? Chances are it’s fueled by the dynamic duo that is data and AI. But, with so many applications floating around the techsphere, how do IT and cloud computing pros choose the very best machine learning tools?

AWS Innovate: Generative AI + Data Edition is your crash course. This virtual conference consists of five learning tracks covering data, analytics, and generative AI/machine learning themes. It’s an agenda built to help leaders and innovators understand how AI and data can catapult their thinking to new heights.

Eager to learn more about cloud computing and jump into AWS Cloud? AWS experts, customers, and partners are ready to get you started.

All you need to do is register to join the party.

CAREERS

Apex programmer

Curtis Jackson, a Louisiana native who is blind, remembers one of his first encounters with computers and the IT industry, which happened around 2006. His computer broke down—and he was looking for solutions.

“I asked my vocational rehab counselor to get it fixed for me,” the 45-year-old, now based in Wichita, Kansas, told IT Brew, adding that the owner of an IT company back then encouraged him to “learn the back end,” so he could expand his knowledge and do more with his devices. Since then, he’s picked up mentors who have helped him grow, and has learned how to fix computers and help “sighted friends and family members keep computers out of repair shops.”

“Over the years, it kind of grew on the fence,” he said. “Since I was able to get some of the certifications, I’m like, ‘Hey, maybe I could make this a career someday.’”

Read more here.—AF

Do you work in IT or have information about your IT department you want to share? Email [email protected].

IT OPERATIONS

Now you Rhysida, now you don’t

Today’s top IT reads.

Stat: 3.5 years. That’s the average amount of time Black IT professionals remain at one company compared to 5.1 years for their non-Black peers. (CIO)

Quote: “Based on our initial review, we believe that today’s outage was caused by the application and execution of an incorrect process used as we were expanding our network, not a cyberattack.”—an AT&T spokesperson on the widespread network outage affecting the network on Feb. 22 (CNET)

Read: Reddit is going public, but says its protesting moderators may hurt its market value. (Ars Technica)

VIRTUAL EVENT

Government gone digital

Ready to debunk the myths surrounding government services? Join us this Thursday, Feb. 29, for an enlightening conversation with Claudia Arriaga, SVP of Customer Success and Support at OpenGov. We’ll dive into the complexities of balancing technological advancements with fiscal responsibility and security concerns. Save your seat to gain invaluable insights and chart a course toward a more efficient and citizen-centric government.

Register now.

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