By following these tips, taxpayers can reduce the risk of losing their identity, money or accounts to criminals.
Always protect personal data:
If someone is requesting a taxpayer’s personal information – their date of birth, age, address, Social Security number or bank account information – the taxpayer should be cautious. Ask why the information is needed and only provide what’s absolutely necessary. It’s also a good practice not to respond to emailed, texted or other requests but instead to seek out the requestor’s website or to contact them directly.
Shop at reputable retailers:
When shopping online, taxpayers should confirm they’re on a reputable and secure retailer’s website and avoid sites with invalid digital certificates. Don’t assume that a web address is legitimate just because it includes "https." Criminals can purchase valid security certificates and attach them to fraudulent websites.
Use security software:
Take the time to ensure all family members have comprehensive anti-virus protection for their digital devices, particularly on shared devices. When a taxpayer stores sensitive files – such as tax records – on a digital device, they should backup and encrypt those files for additional protection.
Choose strong passwords and enable two-factor authentication:
Use strong, unique passwords for each account and enable two-factor authentication where possible. Remember to never re-use passwords for online accounts and never share passwords with anyone.
Know the risk of public Wi-Fi:
Connection to public Wi-Fi is convenient and often free, but it may not be safe. Criminals can easily steal personal information from these networks. People should always be cautious and use a virtual private network when connecting to public Wi-Fi.
Be aware of compromised accounts:
Once a criminal hacks an email or social media account, they may try to scam the victim's contacts by posing as the victim. Everyone should be suspicious of unusual, out-of-character requests or messages, even when the account belongs to a friend, colleague or family member.
Act fast if identity theft happens:
If a taxpayer was targeted by identity theft, they can take action to protect their tax information.
Let us know if you have related questions. Thanks.
Victor Molokwu, CPA
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