Kroll Fraud Solutions Blog – A Dialogue on Data Security

Today marks the final two months before the 2011 deadline for tax returns to be submitted. In this fairly short time period, an extraordinary amount of data will be sent from individual consumers to the IRS. For many, it will be a first foray into e-filing their returns as well.

With that in mind, Kroll is taking this opportunity to remind taxpayers to remain diligent with their sensitive information when filing electronically, releasing our yearly crop of taxpayer tips. Whether it’s filing taxes, banking online, making purchases, or even just checking e-mail, online safety is of great importance. The fact that technologies – in addition to the scams and data thefts that inevitably follow – change at such a rapid pace, consumer vigilance has become increasingly important.

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.