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.
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.
Just a few months ago in January, we talked about being aware that fraudsters often use a current event to try to trick you into giving up personal information. One such “current event” is now in full swing as the United States 2010 Census forms landed in mailboxes across the country during March. This year’s census appears to be a prime target for scams, as Kroll’s Licensed Investigators are taking calls on a daily basis from consumers who have been sent phony emails or other communication.
Valuable insight into recognizing tax fraud from Jeremy Miller, Director of Operations.
The IRS announced yesterday that it will be opening offices in 180 locations across the country on Saturday, March 27, to provide taxpayers an opportunity to work directly with the IRS to resolve tax issues. A list of locations is provided on the IRS website.
Taxpayers who visit these “open houses” will most likely be working with the IRS to answer questions about tax credits, making payment arrangements, or other economic issues. Some, however, may need guidance on how to proceed if they know or suspect they are victims of identity theft.
