NEW YORK, March 4, 2008 — According to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), a record 77 million taxpayers had their tax returns filed electronically in 2007, a figure sure to increase in 2008. For an identity thief, tax time is prime time. Tax documents are a gold mine for hackers as they contain social security numbers, addresses, and financial information. Over 8 million Americans have their identity stolen each year and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reports that in 2007, the highest category of complaints was identity theft, attributing to 32% of total complaints received. Consumers reported fraud losses totaling more than $1.2 billion, almost double that of 2005.
The makers of Identity Finder — software designed specifically to prevent identity theft — offer tax-time tips to prevent identity theft and benefit every taxpayer.
1. Password-protect all tax returns that you print to PDF
from your tax software so your SSN is secure.
2. Configure all peer-to-peer file sharing programs to
disable the sharing of your personal folders so identity
thieves can't download your tax return.
3. Don't email tax documents to your accountant unless they
are encrypted to prevent anyone snooping on your network
from gaining access to your financial information.
4. If downloading your IRS W2 forms, 1099s, and other
personal tax documents from your employer, create a
strong password when registering to download them so it
is not easily guessed by strangers.
5. If you receive an email purporting to be from the IRS
that requires personal information to process your
return, rebate, or refund, do not respond to it. The
IRS does not contact you via email and this is more
likely a phishing attack.
6. When you postal mail your tax return to the IRS, mail
it from a secured location, like the post office or an
official USPS collection box, and do not let it sit in
the box overnight as it could be stolen. For added
security use certified mail.
7. If you receive an unsolicited phone call from someone
claiming to represent the IRS, do not give personal
information over the phone. Hang up and call the IRS
directly.
8. Permanently shred unsecured documents from your computer
that contain personal information used to prepare your
tax return. Printed documents should be traditionally
shredded.
9. Don't save your password in your web browser when
accessing banks and other institutions that keep your
personal information because it could be leaked if you
ever get a virus, Trojan, or are hacked.
10. Install the latest updates to your operating system to
prevent known Windows or Mac vulnerabilities from being
exploited by hackers.
11. If making photocopies of your financial documents, make
sure the photocopier does not store images of them in
memory.
About:
Identity Finder Home and Professional Edition software searches through electronic files, e-mails, and hidden system areas for personal information — such as social security numbers, passwords, bank and credit card details — and helps users securely shred or encrypt the data. Identity Finder is a division of Velosecure LLC, a leading niche innovator of security and privacy technologies. Founded in 2001 and headquartered in New York City, the company specializes in developing software solutions that meet business and consumer needs. Best known for Identity Finder and Velosecure CAM, the company's technologies have been used by thousands of organizations in more than 40 countries. The management team is a thought leader in the industry and has been internationally published.
Contact:
Fern Edison: Email
(845) 679-6319
http://www.identityfinder.com