Keep your tax return safe
Whether for a fraudster to steal your tax return at the corner mailbox, a party does not pirates of the computer, a preparation of tax returns online accidental or non-payment data to fraudsters coach unintentionally access to your information or scams that he, it is not possible to completely avoid the risk that your data fall into the wrong hands.
While millions of taxpayers file their returns every year without any problem, experts say the disparity channels of fraud described above are the roads to identity thieves, and that taxpayers take measures to protect themselves.
Either online or out of the show, “there is no 100% guarantee,” said Jeremy Miller, chief operating officer of Kroll Fraud Solutions in Nashville, working with victims of identity theft .
Most electronic files
More people choose the ease of online filing, despite potential risks. About 18 million tax returns were filed as computers in the house of March 6, up 20% over the same period a year ago, according to the IRS. (But only 28% of the total of 63.9 million returns by then. Of this total, more than half – 33 million – were filed by the preparers of the fee).
People who have online are not always as careful as they should be, “said Tom Rusin, CEO of Affinion Security Center, a division of Affinion Group, Norwalk, Connecticut-service monitoring identity theft.
“Most people do not have a firewall on their computers,” he said. “People are relatively sir,” he said. Without a firewall, any pirate worth his salt could leave the house for a taxpayer with a laptop and [holding] their information “.
But he also said there are risks with a method of presentation. If you take your return to an office assistant, said: “How many people have access to it in the office? There are people in the night? Are temporary? Who knows?
Fraud experts say the key is to choose the method of preparation of tax returns that you are most comfortable, and minimize their risks. “We must ask: What risks are acceptable to me?” said Ed Lowery, assistant special agent in charge of the U. S. Secret Service Division of Criminal Investigation.
“With caution, we do not see the presentation online more or less dangerous than the old methods of filing taxes,” said Lowery.
Do not share
Are you a do-it-yourself online? If your computer has software for sharing files, you can put your personal information at risk.
There are two potential problems, “said Ray Dickenson, Authentium Chief Technology Inc, a maker of security software applications. “One of them is to share sensitive data,” he said. This happens when you enable file sharing software to access the hard disk, therefore, share anything stored on your computer, including your income tax return.
The other problem: downloads sites sharing files May be infected by viruses or malware, even if the file names look harmless. The malicious software is dropped on the team, perhaps his record of each key. Dickenson wrote about these and other hazards in your blog. Dickenson see recent entry.
Ensuring security
If you file your taxes on your computer, make sure you have a firewall running, most antivirus and anti-spyware. Not file their taxes on a computer with a file-sharing program, unless you have good access to the hard drive and has no malicious software running.
Here are some other tips to stay safe in times of tax:
- In reputation. If the file online or hire a tax preparer, working with a company. Check the Better Business Bureau to see if any complaints have been filed. Avoid preparers whose offices seem temporary. Ask about their security policies: The online service or tax preparer must encrypt electronic transmissions, and explain how the data is safe when they are stored.
- Pay attention. The next best thing to prevent identity theft is discovered quickly, so you can take steps to minimize the damage. If the IRS claims that his return has already been delivered or a low income, meaning that your identity is used in May by another person. Also, make it a habit to check your bank and other accounts regularly.
- Be wary of wireless. Do not send data through a wireless connection unless you are sure it is encrypted and you have a firewall protecting your computer.
- Delete e-mails related to taxes and phone calls. Beware of e-mails phishing increasingly sophisticated (sent by the scammers for you in the disclosure of sensitive data). Lowery said that some claim to be the tax preparation services. Instead of clicking on links, enter the address in the browser itself. And remember: The IRS will not contact you by phone or e-mail.
- Pen-and-file of paper? Mail your return to the post office.
See the website of the Federal Trade Commission to learn more about the deterrence of identity theft.
IRS steps up
The good news: The IRS has recently improved its methods for treating victims of identity theft, including the creation of a Special Protection Unit identity.
“The IRS has done an excellent job this year,” said Miller. “If taxpayers believe that their identity has been compromised in any way, please send a form to IPSU and made a statement on file with IRS says that they can have an identity at risk. This lasts for three years, “he said.
However, Miller cautioned taxpayers to proceed with caution as it is unclear whether such a description might delay the return of processing (and therefore payment). “If the [declaration] fraud and we will do so”, he said, but if other problems of identity theft in May of that does not affect your tax return, you want to keep May said he says. “We have received messages, if you are going to affect future budgets.”
