Tax Identity Theft, Protect Yourself
Brian Thompson
![Brian Thompson]()
Brian Thompson
Entrepreneur & Identity Theft Protection Advisor | Safeguarding Businesses with Innovative Identity Theft Solutions | Transforming Digital Security Landscape at the Employee Level
What is Tax Identity Theft?
Tax Identity theft is when someone files a fake tax return using your personal information - Social Security Number, Date of Birth, etc.- in an effort to get a tax refund from the IRS.
How do they get your information?
There are a number of common ways that thieves will obtain your information:
- Dumpster Diving
- Stealing your Mail
- Stealing your Purse or Wallet
- Debit Card/Credit Card Skimming
- Phishing - emails that trick you into thinking it is from the IRS and convince you to surrender personal information
- "Winner" Scams... and the list goes on.
Tips to Protect Yourself and Your Family (employees)
- The Earlier the Better! Get your tax returns done early in the tax season...before any Identity Thieves get the chance to do it.
- Returns should be mailed directly from the Post Office, avoid using your house mailbox.
- Shred Copies of your tax returns and any related documents that have Personal information on them
- UNDERSTAND - The IRS does not contact you by email, text or social media. The IRS will first contact you by mail if they need anything.
- If you are filing electronically, make sure you are on a secure network. DO NOT use a public WIFI to file your tax returns.
- ENROLL in Identity Theft Protection Monitoring as an individual or through work. Many Employers are offering Identity Theft Protection as an employee benefit now. Identity theft monitoring gives you many ways to mitigate identity theft and provides resources that will assist you if your identity is stolen... and amazing feature that can provide true peace of mind.
We all understand the fact that our information is out there and are worried about how we are going to protect ourselves.
But if we are serious about our financial security as an individual, a company or family, we need to take the necessary precautions to ensure that stability.
So take the steps to ensure you, your family and employees are protected... its easy cost effective and you will be glad you did.
~BT