Identity theft can have a devastating effect on your finances, your credit rating, and your overall well-being. This is particularly important when it comes to taxes because criminals love to impersonate the IRS to lure victims into sharing their personal information. The good news is that there are things you can do to protect yourself from becoming a victim of identity theft.
1. Be Cautious With Your Personal Information
Be cautious about who you give your personal information to. Never give out your social security number, credit card information, or bank account number to someone you don’t know without verifying their legitimacy.
Do not share your date of birth publicly, especially on social media. Be vigilant about phishing scams where fraudsters call to ask for other personal information.
2. Monitor Your Accounts
Make it a habit of regularly monitoring your bank accounts and credit cards at least once a month.
This way, you can quickly detect any suspicious activity and protect your accounts from identity theft. The sooner you catch suspicious activity, the sooner you can report it and safeguard your data.
3. Invest in Antivirus and Security Software
It is essential to protect your computer and mobile devices from hackers and virus attacks. That’s why you should invest in premium antivirus and security software, and always keep it up to date. Avoid connecting to public Wi-Fi as well, as it can leave your personal data vunerable to breaches.
4. Shred Old Documents
The world has evolved, but criminals are willing to stick to old methods if they work.
Fraudsters still go through physical trash cans looking for personal documents they can use to steal your identity.
Make sure you shred all financial documents such as bank statements, receipts, and credit card statements. Destroying these documents minimizes the risk of malicious actors snooping through your trash to harvest data.
5. Use Strong Passwords
Using strong passwords to access your accounts can go a long way toward protecting your personal information.
A strong password contains a mix of letters, numbers and characters. Remember to change your passwords often and avoid using the same password for all your accounts. By using unique passwords, you make it harder for hackers to gain access to your accounts.
JT Tax Services: Taxes Made Easy
When it comes to taxes, knowledge is power. That’s why at At JT Tax Services, we give you the peace of mind that comes with knowing that you are working with experienced professionals with in-depth knowledge of all applicable tax laws and regulations.
We are located in Oxnard, California, contact us today by email (info@jttaxservices.com), telephone (805-984-8890), or through our social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn to schedule a consultation or to learn more about our services.
