• While we go to great lengths to protect the information that you share with us, we also want to encourage you to take the proper steps to ensure that information is safeguarded on your end.
  
  
• Technological advances in connectivity and portability have only increased users’ susceptibility to identity theft. If you ever receive a communication from us discussing or requesting your personal information and you have any doubt about its veracity, please take down the caller’s name and number. Then, call the office at the number listed under Contact Us and ask us to verify the communication.
  

• Technology, and in particular the Internet and cloud-based data storage, has made life easier for users in many ways. However, it also enables criminals to more easily and more remotely commit fraud and identity theft. We, and most legitimate companies, will never ask for your personal information over email. We utilize an encrypted document storage system with a higher level of security to transfer this information to and from our clients. If you do need to provide information over email, be sure that you encrypt your email. 
  
  
• Anti-virus software is a critical tool to protect your devices from threats, such as viruses, spyware, adware, malware, and spam. Similarly, if you are entering personal information on a website, make sure that website is secure. Computer security provider Norton offers a free website checker called Safe Web you can use if you are unsure about a website’s security. Many scams and viruses target at-risk populations such as children and the elderly.

Email Fraud

• Email scams are all too common. From phishing scams designed to steal personal information, such as credit card numbers, bank account numbers, debit card PINs, and passwords, these scams either ask you to confirm this information or infect your computer with a virus to obtain it. 
  
  
• If you are suspicious of any email, you can research it in a separate browser window to see if it is potential scam. Email scams often make threats or promises that you should ignore, such as incurring fines, disabling your account, or offering you free money. If you do open a suspicious email, do not click on any link in the email.
  
  
• A common red flag that should raise your suspicion is when an individual or company asks for information that they already have.

Tax Fraud

• The IRS will never attempt to contact you initially electronically or by phone. The IRS will send a written notice first so be cautious of any communications not in writing claiming to be from the IRS.
  
  
• Your stolen personal information can be used to file fraudulent tax returns, often using falsified information to obtain a tax refund. If you have been a victim of identity theft, even indirectly, such as being a client of a business that was hacked, we encourage you to file IRS Affidavit Form 14039 as a potential victim. This form alerts the IRS to watch for suspicious activity on your return.  Filing this form and your return early not only limits the opportunity for criminals to file a fraudulent return but also begins the process of the IRS verifying your identity and information.  Even if you file early, you have until the April 15^th tax deadline to pay anything owed.  For more information please review the IRS Taxpayer Guide to Identity Theft.