Kroll Fraud Solutions Blog – A Dialogue on Data Security

Planning to file your tax return electronically?

Heed these suggestions:

• Obtain a list of all authorized e-file providers registered with the IRS. According to the IRS, a record 90 million tax forms were filed electronically last year, compared with 86 million in 2008. If you’re a part of the latest trend, be sure you are using a credible service provider.
• Avoid sending data over a wireless network. If not properly secured, data can easily be picked up by an uninvited party.

To avoid what has become an increasingly common method of tax-related identity theft, taxpayers must remember one simple fact: the IRS never contacts taxpayers by email or phone to request sensitive personal information.

• Phishing schemes take a variety of forms, many of which utilize current news or trends to lure you into thinking the email, letter, or telephone call is real. Visit the IRS website for information on the latest scams, including those using social media and phony websites.
• If you receive a telephone call or email that you suspect may be a phishing scam, file a complaint with the Anti-Phishing Working Group and contact the IRS immediately.

To help you prepare for the April 15 tax filing deadline coming up next week, today we are posting the first in a week-long series of consumer tips. These tips include general advice for keeping PII safe, ways to make the filing process more secure, and advice for information disposal after tax season.

Consumer Tax Filing Tip #1: Beware of tax preparer fraud.

Earlier today, we released the 2010 HIMSS Analytics Report: Security of Patient Data. The report is a follow-up to our  2008 report conducted with HIMSS Analytics,  and is based on the results of the bi-annual survey of healthcare provider facilities in the U.S. regarding patient data safety. The study can be considered a tool to both monitor and provide insight into the effect of regulatory changes and the effectiveness of the resulting compliance efforts taking place, as well as the evolving state of patient data security.

Everyone here at Kroll is passing around the latest news about the FTC reviewing its rule about the privacy of our children in cyberspace. From my perspective, this is incredibly exciting. As a parent of two children under five years old – I am pleased that the FTC is keeping current in the watch over the unique privacy issues of minors.  As a special population, no group is more vulnerable than our children. I can’t imagine the impact on my son or daughter – to find out at the age of 18 that he or she is a victim of ID theft with a criminal record (which he/she did not commit), damage to credit and countless other possible issues that can surface years later, during a loan or college application process.  I am looking forward to seeing the results of this review and the subsequent steps taken to protect the future of this country – our children.