How to Avoid Identity Theft – Individuals
- The IRS never initiates correspondence via email. Do not click on any links, open or respond to any email that claims to be from the IRS.
- Install and maintain a powerful anti-virus and firewall software system.
- Review your credit report annually and block it from new credit requests if acceptable. It is available annually for free at www.annualcreditreport.com or 1-877-322-8228.
- Do not give anyone your social security number under almost any circumstances.
- Destroy (shred) any old checks reflecting your social security number.
- Buy and use a quality home shredder to shred all personally identifiable documents at all times.
- Establish an annual policy as follows: photocopy all credit cards, front and back, and place dated copies in a safe or lockbox; establish all website logins and save in a secure manner; change all passwords every year over the holidays and record in a secure manner.
- Secure all electronic files and paper files from intruders, children and outsiders.
- Carefully guard against filling out any online forms and do not open accounts with anyone requiring social security numbers online.
- File returns as soon as possible for decedents, young children and other highly subject taxpayers.
Information courtesy of TaxSpeaker/Jennings Advisory Group.