ON ALERT: In tax season, online criminals often send phony e-mails that claim to be from the Internal Revenue Service.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR: Such messages often ask you to supply personal information so you can get your refund or speed up your return. But the e-mails instead may be tools for identify theft. If they trick you into opening attachments or visiting a bogus Web site, they can install malicious software on your computer.

STAY SAFE: Never supply your personal information, such as Social Security numbers or credit card numbers, to anyone e-mailing you for it. The IRS doesn't discuss tax matters over e-mail.