If you’re thinking of hiring a tax preparer to help you file your returns this year, make sure he or she is competent and on the up and up, says the Association of Mature American Citizens.

According to the Government Accountability Office preparers without the proper credentials make mistakes and some of them might even be fraudsters who take advantage of unsuspecting clients. In many states, there are no licensing laws for preparers, so check credentials and ask for references before providing all your personal information to a stranger claiming to be a professional.