| The continued popularity of electronic tax filing has | | | | Hackers and thieves have the ability to eavesdrop or |
| made this annual burden incredibly simple for many | | | | spy on it when it is unprotected. |
| taxpayers. As a result, these individuals mistakenly | | | | · Encrypt supporting tax documents you plan |
| equate ease-of-use with safety. This assumption too | | | | to email to your accountant to prevent anyone from |
| often leads to the #1 most-committed crime in the | | | | snooping on your network and gaining access to your |
| world - identity theft. | | | | financial information. |
| The continued popularity of electronic tax filing has | | | | · Create strong passwords when registering |
| made this annual burden incredibly simple for many | | | | to download your IRS W2 forms, 1099s, and other |
| taxpayers. As a result, these individuals mistakenly | | | | personal tax documents from your employer so that |
| equate ease-of-use with safety. This assumption too | | | | they are not easily guessed by strangers. |
| often leads to the #1 most-committed crime in the | | | | Myth #3: Paper copies of your important tax |
| world - identity theft. The opportunities for your | | | | documentation are always safe since they are in your |
| personal information to unwittingly fall into the hands of | | | | control and are not accessible to electronic hackers. |
| thieves wanting to commit fraud has grown | | | | Truth: Identity thieves are incredibly creative and will |
| exponentially along with the explosion of online tax | | | | attempt to access your confidential information for |
| return submissions. Don’t falsely presume that | | | | their own personal gain however and wherever |
| your identity is protected. | | | | possible, especially when you least expect it. |
| Here are the 3 biggest myths that risk your identity | | | | · When you postal mail your tax return to the |
| during tax season, as well as important security tips to | | | | IRS, send it from a secured location, like the post office |
| avoid the time, money and hassle related to identity | | | | or an official USPS collection box; do not let it sit in a |
| theft. | | | | box overnight as it could be stolen. For added |
| Myth #1: Documents, PDFs and personal information | | | | security use certified mail. |
| used in the creation of your tax returns are safe just | | | | · If making photo copies of your financial |
| sitting on your computer. | | | | documents, make sure the photocopier does not store |
| Truth: Hackers may access your computer in | | | | images of them in memory. |
| various ways at ANY time via viruses, Trojans and | | | | · Using a traditional paper shredder, destroy |
| Botnets. Confidential information on PDFs is NOT safe. | | | | the printed documents used during tax preparation that |
| · Password-protect all tax returns that you | | | | you no longer need. |
| print to PDF from your tax software so that Social | | | | The government takes your tax dollars on April 15th. |
| Security Numbers are secure. Permanently shred | | | | Don’t let a thief take your identity too. Employ |
| unsecured documents on your computer that contain | | | | a multi-step approach in the prevention of identity theft |
| personal information used to prepare your tax return. | | | | that includes awareness, changes in behavior, and |
| · Configure all peer-to-peer file sharing | | | | security tools. Doing so will secure your personal |
| programs to disable the sharing of your personal | | | | information this tax season and allow you to rest |
| folders so identity thieves can't download your tax | | | | easier on April 16th and after. One final tip: |
| return. | | | | · Monitor your credit report regularly. |
| · Install the latest updates to your operating | | | | |
| system to prevent known Windows or Mac | | | | About: |
| vulnerabilities from being exploited by hackers. | | | | |
| · Don't save your password in your web | | | | Identity Finder, LLC is a leading niche innovator of |
| browser when accessing payroll services, employers, | | | | privacy technologies. Founded in 2001 and |
| banks and other institutions that keep your personal | | | | headquartered in New York City, the company |
| information because it could easily be stolen. | | | | specializes in developing software solutions that meet |
| Myth #2: It's safe to electronically transmit confidential | | | | business and consumer needs. The |
| data to an accountant, employer, or the IRS. | | | | company’s technologies have been used by |
| Truth: Your personal information is at the greatest | | | | millions of people in more than fifty countries. |
| risk when it is en route from one location to another. | | | | |