8 Simple Ways To Protect Yourself
8 Simple Ways To Protect Yourself Author: Keith Huggett
During the height of tax season we always hear about identity theft and the hundreds of ways people are being scammed out of their hard earned money. Well, tax season is over now but identity theft is still a problem that needs to be discussed. Your tax preparer can either be part of the problem; someone who is helping the theives, or a part of the solution. Here are some simple ways that you and your tax preparer can help protect your identity.
- Never sign a blank tax return.
- Place your tax documents in a secure location, such as a safe, or locking file cabinet.
- Use a password on your cell-phone, tablet, & laptop computer.
- Remember that when you receive communications from the IRS, they only use the U.S. postal service. If you receive an email from someone claiming to be the IRS, report it to phishing@irs.gov.
- Ask your tax preparer about their security. Is it up-to-date? Do they have back up systems?
- Monitor your credit reports regularly. It's a handy practice to keep up to date on your credit report. With a watchful eye, you will notice any changes much faster than your credit card company will.
- Change your passwords on your computers regularly. Make them complex, with numbers, capital letters, and symbols, in order to make it more difficult for hackers to figure them out. Using birthdays, anniversaries, or pet names are very common and easy to figure out.
- If you upgrade your computer system, and decide to recycle your old one, be certain to wipe the hard drive first. PCWorld provides a helpful article on How to Securely Erase Your Hard Drive.
One last thing to remember in order to protect your identity. When you are on social media sites, be careful not to answer those harmless looking (and sounding) quizes about your first pet, or your mother's name, where you grew up and games about how well you know your best friend. You could accidently give out information about yourself & your best friend.
If you have any questions about identity theft, personal information, or tax information, the specialists at The Tax Office, Inc. are ready to help. If you suspect that you have become a victim of identity theft, you should act immediately to correct your records. Make copies of all email and letters, and keep detailed notes of phone calls. Your tax returns are only a portion of what will need to be corrected. Contact us today for your tax return needs.
