The IRS is urging taxpayers and tax professionals to protect their personal information online in order to avoid identity theft. Optima Tax Relief reviews some helpful tips on how to minimize cyber footprints and risk of identity theft.
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Protect personal information
Taxpayers and tax professionals should only provide their Social Security numbers to trusted individuals and websites when necessary. Additionally, they should only complete financial transactions on trusted websites. These websites should be reputable and have adequate security protections, such as encryption. It is important to safeguard any personal information that may contribute to identity theft, including credit card numbers and bank account information.
Choose strong passwords
Avoid using common or predictable passwords that may include personal information like names or birthdates. A strong password should use at least 10-12 characters and include a mix of letters, numbers, and special characters. Once a strong password is created, avoid sharing it with others or reusing it for other sites. Be sure to securely store the password.
Use a secure network
Using an insecure network increases the risk of another computer in range to steal information. The best fix is to use a secure network or to password-protect the account with multi-factor authentication.
Avoid scams
Taxpayers and tax professionals should be able to recognize scam emails, calls and texts that aim to collect sensitive information. Typically, phishing emails will request you to download a malicious attachment or click on a compromised link. Another common scam is a pop-up window advertising a security software download that is actually malware. Using anti-virus software and updating it as needed can help protect against viruses and malware. Being able to recognize these common scams will help reduce chances of identity theft.
Educate others in the household
It is important that all household members take the appropriate precautions when online. This is especially important for younger users and those with less experience using the internet.
Be proactive
To keep important documents safe, taxpayers and tax professionals should back them up onto drives or cloud storage. Removable discs can also be used but should be stored in a secure location.
Most important, taxpayers and tax professionals should remember that the IRS does not communicate via email, text message or social media, especially to request sensitive information.
