Protect yourself: ID Theft
Protect Yourself.
It’s Open Season on ID Theft.Identity theft is the fastest growing crime in America, and the average victim spends 175 hours and $1,000 repairing the damage. Tax time
presents an even greater risk for ID theft because your personal information is everywhere. Below are tips to avoid becoming a victim this tax season.
Watch Your Mailbox Use a cross cut paper shredder to ensure that your documents are
properly destroyed; information can still be retrieved from documents
shredded with low-end paper shredders. If you have used your
computer to prepare any part of your tax return, a savvy identity
thief could recover this information from your hard drive, even
if you seemingly deleted the file. There is software available that
will perform a “secure delete” of your sensitive files to ensure that
they cannot be recovered.
Choose the Right Tax People
Find a tax preparation service that is dedicated to providing year-round
financial services to its clients, and beware of companies that hire
seasonal workers with minimal training (thieves can easily acquire
these jobs). This way, you can ensure your personal information is
in the hands of professionals.
Be Careful Online
If you plan to use an online tax service, ensure the site is reputable.
Type the Web site URL directly, and never follow an e-mail link. Also,
ensure all information is sent via a secure connection. Look for their
security information. What encryptions do they use? What other
measures do they take to ensure added security?
Source: http://www.myidfix.com/identity-theft-cases-statistics.php
*All information is general in nature, not legal advice and not warranted or guaranteed.
Readers are cautioned not to rely solely on this information. Because tax laws change,
it is imperative that you consult a professional tax adviser—such as an accountant—
in your area regarding tax matters
.
When income tax forms start coming in the mail, a potential ID
thief can easily gain access to personal information such as your Social
Security number and how much you make. If you don’t have a locking
mailbox, now is a great time to invest in one. You should also consider
dropping your tax returns into a USPS collection box or taking it
directly to the post office.
Destroy Sensitive Material