Comments on: Keep Identity Thieves at Bay during the 2008 Tax Season http://fightidentitytheft.com/blog/-2/keep-identity-thieves-at-bay-during-the-2008-tax-season/ The latest news and commentary on identity theft, scams, privacy, and technology. Thu, 20 Nov 2008 09:28:49 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: Regina Clark http://fightidentitytheft.com/blog/-2/keep-identity-thieves-at-bay-during-the-2008-tax-season/#comment-5191 Regina Clark Sat, 04 Oct 2008 23:37:55 +0000 http://fightidentitytheft.com/blog/identity-theft/keep-identity-thieves-at-bay-during-the-2008-tax-season/#comment-5191 I just want it add to the loan i am trying to get I just want it add to the loan i am trying to get

]]> By: Almeda Conwell http://fightidentitytheft.com/blog/-2/keep-identity-thieves-at-bay-during-the-2008-tax-season/#comment-5174 Almeda Conwell Tue, 23 Sep 2008 18:51:35 +0000 http://fightidentitytheft.com/blog/identity-theft/keep-identity-thieves-at-bay-during-the-2008-tax-season/#comment-5174 I have personally been a identity theft victim and it is sure hell getting your creditability back I am glad that there is finally protection. I have personally been a identity theft victim and it is sure hell getting your creditability back I am glad that there is finally protection.

]]> By: Fight Fire With Fire For Identity Theft Protection ……. - EXPERTS ADVICE FORUM http://fightidentitytheft.com/blog/-2/keep-identity-thieves-at-bay-during-the-2008-tax-season/#comment-5155 Fight Fire With Fire For Identity Theft Protection ……. - EXPERTS ADVICE FORUM Thu, 11 Sep 2008 16:14:42 +0000 http://fightidentitytheft.com/blog/identity-theft/keep-identity-thieves-at-bay-during-the-2008-tax-season/#comment-5155 [...] Fight Fire With Fire For Identity Theft Protection Keep Identity Thieves at Bay Thanks to our friends at Kroll Fraud Solutions, we have some excellent 2008 tax season tips for avoiding identity theft: The U.S. economy may not be the only beneficiary of the recently passed federal economic stimulus package – identity thieves are getting a boost, too. Why? In the wake of the recent IRS announcement that more than 130 million Americans will receive tax rebates this year, identity thieves are using the promise of extra cash to lure Americans into disclosing their sensitive personal information. These “phishing” schemes can take a variety of forms, the most common of which involves an identity thief who calls or e-mails a consumer pretending to be an IRS employee. The consumer is promised a sizable rebate if they file their taxes early. All the caller needs in exchange is the consumer’s bank account number to deposit the check. The bad news is that schemes like the one described above are common; the good news is that falling victim to one is avoidable – as long as consumers get smart on the facts and follow the proper precautions. Below ID theft expert Brian Lapidus, chief operating officer of Kroll’s Fraud Solutions, offers some important advice that every consumer should know about protecting their personal information during tax season. At Kroll, Lapidus oversees a highly-skilled team that includes veteran licensed investigators who meet regularly with IRS agents to stay apprised of emergent tax fraud issues – bolstering the team’s specialized work supporting breach victims and restoring individuals’ compromised identities to pre-theft status. Preparing your taxes? Beware of phishing schemes. The IRS never contacts consumers by e-mail or phone to request sensitive personal information (SSN, checking account information, etc.). If you receive a phone call or e-mail that you suspect may be a “phishing” scam, file a complaint with the Anti-Phishing Working Group and contact the IRS immediately. Avoid shopping mall kiosks or pop-up preparers who offer to assist you with tax preparation. Considering the amount of sensitive personal information involved in the tax preparation process, you probably don’t want to hand over your files to someone whose experience and background are unfamiliar to you. Ask a trusted friend to introduce you to his/her tax preparer or consult a local CPA association for trustworthy members. Filing electronically? Avoid using wireless networks. Use of wireless networks means your data is being transmitted over open airwaves, similar to a radio transmission. If not properly secured, data can easily be picked up by an uninvited party. Don’t prepare your taxes on a public computer. Public computers can contain “keylogger” spyware, which records every keystroke including passwords and account information. Keyloggers make it possible for an identity thief to steal any information entered into the computer during your session. Preparing your taxes on a public computer also increases your vulnerability to “shoulder surfers” – individuals who look over your shoulder to observe what you are doing and, more importantly, collect the sensitive data you’re entering. Only keep a record of your tax claims as long as necessary. Thieves can’t steal what you don’t have. Purge the data once the need for it has expired. Suggested guidelines for individual recordkeeping are available online through the IRS at: Publication 552 (4/2005), Recordkeeping for Individuals. Filing by mail? Don’t put your completed claim in an unlocked mailbox for pick-up. Instead, deposit outgoing mail at a post office. Take it one step further and opt for delivery tracking. That way you can be certain that your information has gotten to the IRS safely. Waiting for your tax rebate? Promptly remove mail from your mailbox after delivery. The longer your mail sits in an unsecured mailbox, the greater your chances of it falling into the wrong hands. You may also choose to have the IRS deposit your tax rebate directly into your bank account, further minimizing the risk of theft. Keep Identity Thieves at Bay during the 2008 Tax Season | Fight Identity Theft Blog [...] [...] Fight Fire With Fire For Identity Theft Protection Keep Identity Thieves at Bay Thanks to our friends at Kroll Fraud Solutions, we have some excellent 2008 tax season tips for avoiding identity theft: The U.S. economy may not be the only beneficiary of the recently passed federal economic stimulus package – identity thieves are getting a boost, too. Why? In the wake of the recent IRS announcement that more than 130 million Americans will receive tax rebates this year, identity thieves are using the promise of extra cash to lure Americans into disclosing their sensitive personal information. These “phishing” schemes can take a variety of forms, the most common of which involves an identity thief who calls or e-mails a consumer pretending to be an IRS employee. The consumer is promised a sizable rebate if they file their taxes early. All the caller needs in exchange is the consumer’s bank account number to deposit the check. The bad news is that schemes like the one described above are common; the good news is that falling victim to one is avoidable – as long as consumers get smart on the facts and follow the proper precautions. Below ID theft expert Brian Lapidus, chief operating officer of Kroll’s Fraud Solutions, offers some important advice that every consumer should know about protecting their personal information during tax season. At Kroll, Lapidus oversees a highly-skilled team that includes veteran licensed investigators who meet regularly with IRS agents to stay apprised of emergent tax fraud issues – bolstering the team’s specialized work supporting breach victims and restoring individuals’ compromised identities to pre-theft status. Preparing your taxes? Beware of phishing schemes. The IRS never contacts consumers by e-mail or phone to request sensitive personal information (SSN, checking account information, etc.). If you receive a phone call or e-mail that you suspect may be a “phishing” scam, file a complaint with the Anti-Phishing Working Group and contact the IRS immediately. Avoid shopping mall kiosks or pop-up preparers who offer to assist you with tax preparation. Considering the amount of sensitive personal information involved in the tax preparation process, you probably don’t want to hand over your files to someone whose experience and background are unfamiliar to you. Ask a trusted friend to introduce you to his/her tax preparer or consult a local CPA association for trustworthy members. Filing electronically? Avoid using wireless networks. Use of wireless networks means your data is being transmitted over open airwaves, similar to a radio transmission. If not properly secured, data can easily be picked up by an uninvited party. Don’t prepare your taxes on a public computer. Public computers can contain “keylogger” spyware, which records every keystroke including passwords and account information. Keyloggers make it possible for an identity thief to steal any information entered into the computer during your session. Preparing your taxes on a public computer also increases your vulnerability to “shoulder surfers” – individuals who look over your shoulder to observe what you are doing and, more importantly, collect the sensitive data you’re entering. Only keep a record of your tax claims as long as necessary. Thieves can’t steal what you don’t have. Purge the data once the need for it has expired. Suggested guidelines for individual recordkeeping are available online through the IRS at: Publication 552 (4/2005), Recordkeeping for Individuals. Filing by mail? Don’t put your completed claim in an unlocked mailbox for pick-up. Instead, deposit outgoing mail at a post office. Take it one step further and opt for delivery tracking. That way you can be certain that your information has gotten to the IRS safely. Waiting for your tax rebate? Promptly remove mail from your mailbox after delivery. The longer your mail sits in an unsecured mailbox, the greater your chances of it falling into the wrong hands. You may also choose to have the IRS deposit your tax rebate directly into your bank account, further minimizing the risk of theft. Keep Identity Thieves at Bay during the 2008 Tax Season | Fight Identity Theft Blog [...]

]]> By: I appear to be in a spot of debt! « Frugal Cents http://fightidentitytheft.com/blog/-2/keep-identity-thieves-at-bay-during-the-2008-tax-season/#comment-5150 I appear to be in a spot of debt! « Frugal Cents Mon, 08 Sep 2008 08:38:49 +0000 http://fightidentitytheft.com/blog/identity-theft/keep-identity-thieves-at-bay-during-the-2008-tax-season/#comment-5150 [...] Identity theft can not only leave the victim to face unprecedented credit card debt but could also put an individual behind bars as some have also been accused of crimes that they never committed with identity thieves using their name and address as a decoy.  [...] [...] Identity theft can not only leave the victim to face unprecedented credit card debt but could also put an individual behind bars as some have also been accused of crimes that they never committed with identity thieves using their name and address as a decoy.  [...]

]]> By: Dave http://fightidentitytheft.com/blog/-2/keep-identity-thieves-at-bay-during-the-2008-tax-season/#comment-5126 Dave Fri, 29 Aug 2008 14:28:10 +0000 http://fightidentitytheft.com/blog/identity-theft/keep-identity-thieves-at-bay-during-the-2008-tax-season/#comment-5126 Good point on what should be common sense when it comes to your sensitive personal information. People are still too trusting. Good point on what should be common sense when it comes to your sensitive personal information. People are still too trusting.

]]> By: Valerie http://fightidentitytheft.com/blog/-2/keep-identity-thieves-at-bay-during-the-2008-tax-season/#comment-5120 Valerie Fri, 22 Aug 2008 21:31:40 +0000 http://fightidentitytheft.com/blog/identity-theft/keep-identity-thieves-at-bay-during-the-2008-tax-season/#comment-5120 I did look up the various companies out there and found competitive prices. I have narrowed my choice down to two including the one you mentioned above. Higher price doesn't mean better service. I did look up the various companies out there and found competitive prices. I have narrowed my choice down to two including the one you mentioned above. Higher price doesn’t mean better service.

]]> By: Marco http://fightidentitytheft.com/blog/-2/keep-identity-thieves-at-bay-during-the-2008-tax-season/#comment-5119 Marco Fri, 22 Aug 2008 21:28:24 +0000 http://fightidentitytheft.com/blog/identity-theft/keep-identity-thieves-at-bay-during-the-2008-tax-season/#comment-5119 I've been going through with a fine comb all the various companies and prices and reading reviews and articles. I found some reasonable companies out there that offer the same services as the big companies who have huge advertising cost, but for much lower prices. After reading articles in Reuters, Market Watch, and our local paper about a company called ShieldSafe I looked them up on google and found positive reviews. There service is only 49 dollars per year, and i have already been alerted by the creditors on activity, so it works. Do your homework and shop around. I’ve been going through with a fine comb all the various companies and prices and reading reviews and articles. I found some reasonable companies out there that offer the same services as the big companies who have huge advertising cost, but for much lower prices. After reading articles in Reuters, Market Watch, and our local paper about a company called ShieldSafe I looked them up on google and found positive reviews. There service is only 49 dollars per year, and i have already been alerted by the creditors on activity, so it works. Do your homework and shop around.

]]> By: MICHELLE http://fightidentitytheft.com/blog/-2/keep-identity-thieves-at-bay-during-the-2008-tax-season/#comment-5079 MICHELLE Tue, 29 Jul 2008 05:26:42 +0000 http://fightidentitytheft.com/blog/identity-theft/keep-identity-thieves-at-bay-during-the-2008-tax-season/#comment-5079 YOU CHARGED ME FOR 31.98 FOR SOMETHING I DID NOT WANT AND I WANT MY MONEY BACK YOU CHARGED ME FOR 31.98 FOR SOMETHING I DID NOT WANT AND I WANT MY MONEY BACK

]]> By: Rich Brown http://fightidentitytheft.com/blog/-2/keep-identity-thieves-at-bay-during-the-2008-tax-season/#comment-4971 Rich Brown Mon, 26 May 2008 14:46:00 +0000 http://fightidentitytheft.com/blog/identity-theft/keep-identity-thieves-at-bay-during-the-2008-tax-season/#comment-4971 The best way of keeping your identify secure at tax time is to work all year to protect it. I strongly suggest everyone who has enough assets to make identity theft a concern consider hiring a professional document shredding company who, for just a few dollars a month, can do a lot to protect your confidential information. There are several that are good, but I personally have found Stordok (http://www.stordok.com) to be exceptional and quite affordable...in some cases only $10 or less a month. The best way of keeping your identify secure at tax time is to work all year to protect it. I strongly suggest everyone who has enough assets to make identity theft a concern consider hiring a professional document shredding company who, for just a few dollars a month, can do a lot to protect your confidential information. There are several that are good, but I personally have found Stordok (http://www.stordok.com) to be exceptional and quite affordable…in some cases only $10 or less a month.

]]> By: Lisa http://fightidentitytheft.com/blog/-2/keep-identity-thieves-at-bay-during-the-2008-tax-season/#comment-4958 Lisa Tue, 13 May 2008 14:43:35 +0000 http://fightidentitytheft.com/blog/identity-theft/keep-identity-thieves-at-bay-during-the-2008-tax-season/#comment-4958 Ruth, You are so right. I think the reason they are not mentioned is because they focus on helping very large corporations with fraud issues and they pay other companies referral fees to market to small companies and individuals.I'm glad to see that they are writing articles to help get the word out though! I recently started marketing for one of their 3rd party channels and I think it is the best product on the market. I just saw a commercial yesterday for a new competitor in this arena. I read their SEC filings and it is really scary to see that people will sign up for a service from a brand new company and give them all of their personal information when they could be protected by a company with a stellar reputation for protecting large companies instead. They say their track record is great, but they list no information about their officers or any cases that they have actually solved! Scary! Ruth, You are so right. I think the reason they are not mentioned is because they focus on helping very large corporations with fraud issues and they pay other companies referral fees to market to small companies and individuals.I’m glad to see that they are writing articles to help get the word out though! I recently started marketing for one of their 3rd party channels and I think it is the best product on the market.

I just saw a commercial yesterday for a new competitor in this arena. I read their SEC filings and it is really scary to see that people will sign up for a service from a brand new company and give them all of their personal information when they could be protected by a company with a stellar reputation for protecting large companies instead. They say their track record is great, but they list no information about their officers or any cases that they have actually solved! Scary!

]]> By: Billy http://fightidentitytheft.com/blog/-2/keep-identity-thieves-at-bay-during-the-2008-tax-season/#comment-4904 Billy Mon, 14 Apr 2008 15:29:50 +0000 http://fightidentitytheft.com/blog/identity-theft/keep-identity-thieves-at-bay-during-the-2008-tax-season/#comment-4904 I totally agree with this especially since I filed my taxes online. What type of shredder do you recommend? I was thinking about this cross cut shredder (http://www.fellowes.com/Fellowes/site/products/ProductDetails.aspx?Id=3217701). Have you heard about Fellowes? reviews? I totally agree with this especially since I filed my taxes online. What type of shredder do you recommend? I was thinking about this cross cut shredder (http://www.fellowes.com/Fellowes/site/products/ProductDetails.aspx?Id=3217701). Have you heard about Fellowes? reviews?

]]> By: Ruth http://fightidentitytheft.com/blog/-2/keep-identity-thieves-at-bay-during-the-2008-tax-season/#comment-4895 Ruth Fri, 11 Apr 2008 03:10:25 +0000 http://fightidentitytheft.com/blog/identity-theft/keep-identity-thieves-at-bay-during-the-2008-tax-season/#comment-4895 "Keep Identity Theives at Bay During the 2008 Tax Season". "Kroll Fraud Solutions" Click on that link and it will take you to Kroll's site. It's AWESOME. Check it ALL out. For all that Kroll does and can do for you, click onto ALL their links throughout the site - it's HUGE. I cannot believe their services aren't even mentioned in the Identity Theft Comparison or the Credit Monitoring Services areas of this site! There's a whole lot more available to folks than is eluded to in those areas. It seems as though LifeLock is being pushed here. Check out all your options. There's SO much more. “Keep Identity Theives at Bay During the 2008 Tax Season”. “Kroll Fraud Solutions” Click on that link and it will take you to Kroll’s site. It’s AWESOME. Check it ALL out. For all that Kroll does and can do for you, click onto ALL their links throughout the site - it’s HUGE. I cannot believe their services aren’t even mentioned in the Identity Theft Comparison or the Credit Monitoring Services areas of this site! There’s a whole lot more available to folks than is eluded to in those areas. It seems as though LifeLock is being pushed here. Check out all your options. There’s SO much more.

]]> By: David http://fightidentitytheft.com/blog/-2/keep-identity-thieves-at-bay-during-the-2008-tax-season/#comment-4808 David Tue, 25 Mar 2008 21:02:32 +0000 http://fightidentitytheft.com/blog/identity-theft/keep-identity-thieves-at-bay-during-the-2008-tax-season/#comment-4808 If everyone registers their fingerprints with government (i.e. passport agency) and every financial institution and potential employment require finger prints comparison, identity theft would be a thing of the past. If everyone registers their fingerprints with government (i.e. passport agency) and every financial institution and potential employment require finger prints comparison, identity theft would be a thing of the past.

]]>