FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Date: Thursday January 16, 2014 Contact: Tom Burch, Sheriff SHERIFF BURCH OFFERS REMINDER ON PREVENTING IDENTIFY THEFT DURING TAX SEASON With tax season approaching, Cass County Sheriff Tom Burch reminds citizens to take steps to ensure that your tax filings and return checks are secure and not subject to potential identity theft. Identity theft continues to be a major problem, with tax related identify theft becoming very common. It was reported in 2013 that 43% of identity theft complaints the FTC investigated were related to tax returns. The IRS reports that one simple way to prevent a potential identify theft is to file early. The scammers usually don’t have access to W-2 forms, so they just make-up income numbers and hope their phony return gets through the process. If the scammer is successful, your legitimate return will be kicked out and the refund denied because the IRS computers will show that you were already paid. The following tips should be followed while filing returns and accepting return checks to ensure your identify safety and protection. • Do not respond to an unexpected e-mail or text message that claims to be from the IRS. The IRS does not do business that way. Their initial contact is always by mail. • Protect yourself: You can’t prevent tax-related identity theft — we’re all vulnerable - but there are things you can do that will reduce your risk of becoming a victim. • If you file by mail, do it at a Post Office, not from an unlocked mailbox in front of your house. • If you file electronically, use a secure computer on a secure network, not a” WiFi” hot-spot network. • Get your return done as soon as you can. It really is in your best interest to file as early as possible. • Monitor your accounts and credit reports frequently. As always if you feel that you have been a subject or victim to a potentaional scam or if you need help deciphering message or mailing, please contact the Sheriff’s Office for assistance.
Posted on: Fri, 17 Jan 2014 01:26:27 +0000
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