Money Mom says don’t let tax time become ID theft time Posted
by money mom at 01/21/08 07:22 AM
The nonprofit Privacy Rights Clearinghouse has issued an alert advising consumers to watch out for theft of those January forms from your bank, mutual fund, or stockbroker. These forms can be a treasure trove of information for someone who wants to impersonate you to open new accounts, or to try to steal from your existing accounts.
Money Mom says, take a look at this good advice from the Privacy Rights Clearinghouse:
• Use a mailbox that locks, a mail slot that goes into your house, or even consider having your mail sent to a Post Office Box.
• Try to retrieve your mail as soon as possible after delivery. Never leave mail in your mailbox overnight.
• If you go on vacation, have your mail held at the Post Office or get someone you trust to retrieve it.
• If you have moved during the year, give notice of your new address directly to your employer and any former employers, your bank, any mutual fund companies you use, and anyone else from whom you received income in 2007.
• If you share a mailbox with roommates, make sure that you get all of your mail.
• When you file your tax return, if you file by mail instead of electronically, take your return to the Post Office or put it in an official blue post office mail collection box before the last time of day posted for mail collection. Thieves have been known to steal a whole mailbox to get the mail inside.
To read the full tips, see:
http://www.privacyrights.org/ar/Tax-Time-Precautions.htm
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