It is that time of the year. The time that some of us are rushing to get our taxes filed as soon as possible to get back a refund. While others wait until the latest day possible to file when money is owed. The question is whether you file early or file late are your tax documents safe? What do you do to help keep them safe? I do my taxes online so I rarely have paper filed in a filing cabinet somewhere. I use the safe tax service every year. I save a copy of my return on my external hard drive with copies of my supporting documents. These are measures I believe to be safe. But are they?
I was reading some great tips to prevent tax-time identity theft, tips I found at Daily Shield. I was happy to see that saving your tax return on an external hard drive is recommended over your computer.
Some of the tips are tips that I use on a daily basis tax time or not. Like never giving your social security number or account number to a caller who has called you to inquire or through email. I don’t know about you but I’ve NEVER received a call from the IRS, most communication comes in the form of a letter.
I was surprised by the tip to not use a public copying machine to make copies of your return. Some machines keep a copy in their short term memory. This is something I was not aware. I think the collection of tips was informative and right on. You can never be to save and no one wants to know how identity theft happens, or better yet no one wants to be a victim.
One of the great services I’ve currently had the privilege to try out is Identity Guard. With everything we do now a days tied to our computer it opens the door for increased identity theft. With Identity Guard you can feel a little safer knowing that someone is looking out for your best interest.
Identity Guard has three great e-books you can download right now for free: Double Trouble, Identity Theft & You, and Best of the Daily Shield 2012. Download the free e-books today!
Disclaimer: This service was provided to me for review at no charge. In addition I received monetary compensation. All opinions are my own. You may read more of my disclosure here.
OurMarriageAdventure says
I had my identity stolen a few years ago. Despite the headaches that come with freezing your credit it was wAs worth it. It’s been three Plus years and I’m off the freeze. Did it cost? Yea time and the occasionally paid three bucks. My sanity is totally worth that.
Colleen says
Oh man that has to be hard. It is one of the hardest things to get back and deal with. So sorry it happened to you.
Amanda Williams says
I feel so bad for the people that this has happened too! I have so much debt that it might improve if someone stole my identity.
Colleen says
LOL on the making it better part.
Andrea Kruse says
After having cards stolen, I am much more careful with our information. Things still happen and scammers work hard, but I do my best.
Colleen says
I had my car broken into once and they stole my purse. Funny we found my purse and they were not interested in the cards only cash which was $1.
Diane Redcay says
I just have mine in a box I never thought that I should put em somewhere safer I do know now
Colleen says
I use to keep mine in a filing cabinet until I start doing them online. Not many people come into your home to specifically steal tax documents. I think it is the online that opens us up to even more security issues.
JODI HARRINGTON says
I had someone call me and try to get my credit card info from me – they said I won a magazine subscription…. then after I hung up on them – they tried to call again trying to get my bank account information. I reported both companies to the BBB and other government agencies.
Colleen says
The sad part is some people must fall for it or they wouldn’t continue doing it.
Nels A. says
After having a couple of credit card #s stolen, I am much more careful about any financial paperwork. I even shred my receipts (those I know I won’t possibly need for a return)
Claudia says
Great review , thank you!
amanda roach says
this kinda happend to my hubby once. he was having his signiture forged for money. and it was a huge investigation. thanks goodness it was all solved.
Liz Newsome says
I’d never heard about the public copiers storing things! Good to know! It’s sad that we have to be so diligent against identity theft – and that it can take us a long time to find out it even happened to us!
Heather Buen says
I have never had my identity stolen because I have pretty bad credit. What bad credit has taught me though is how to live via a cash basis. That’s one one of the easiest ways to combat identity theft. Also while shopping online I used one of those prepaid debit cards (the ones you get from Walmart) That way I know exactly how much I’m going to spend and if they decide to steal what’s on the card, they will find there is nothing there.
tiffany dover says
Ours are in a folder locked in a lock box.
Jo-Ann Brightman says
I didn’t know about the fact that public copying machines have a short term memory where they keep coies of documents. I’ll be aware of that for the future. Thanks for all the tax tips