![\"Woman](\"https:\/\/images.turbotax.intuit.com\/iqcms\/marketing\/lib\/articlepics2\/avoid-tax-return-identify-theft\/woman-holding-tablet-INF29089.jpg\")
<\/p>\n2. Keep Your SSN Private<\/h3>\n\nSince protecting your SSN is critical, keep it private. Provide your SSN to others only when absolutely necessary \u2014 don\u2019t give it out just because a business asks for it or over email. Also, check your Social Security Administration earnings statement annually to make sure all your information is accurate.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
<\/p>\n
\n![\"Padlock\"](\"https:\/\/images.turbotax.intuit.com\/iqcms\/marketing\/lib\/articlepics2\/avoid-tax-return-identify-theft\/padlock-INF29089.jpg\")
<\/h3>\n\n3. Make Your Passwords Work for You<\/h3>\n
You don’t have to be tech-savvy to protect your accounts from hackers. Start by choosing a strong, unique password<\/strong> for each financial site you use, such as online banking, tax or brokerage accounts. Don’t have your computer automatically save passwords, especially on work computers, and change passwords regularly.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\n
\n![\"Professional](\"https:\/\/images.turbotax.intuit.com\/iqcms\/marketing\/lib\/articlepics2\/avoid-tax-return-identify-theft\/business-woman-laptop-INF29089.jpg\")
<\/h3>\n\n4. Protect Against Computer Spam and Viruses<\/h3>\n
Take advantage of the security software updates your operating system offers and make it a habit to use a firewall and anti-spam and anti-virus software. Before you donate or recycle an old computer, consider using a data wipe program to make sure nobody can recover your hard drive data. Alternatively, remove the hard drive and have it professionally destroyed.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
<\/p>\n
\n5. Keep Financial Information Private<\/h3>\n\nThieves who can’t hack into your computer for your financial information may try to get your information in other ways. Be wary of providing personal information over the phone or through the mail. Unless you have initiated the contact or you are sure you know the person you’re talking to, it’s better just to say no.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
<\/p>\n
\n![\"Bucket](\"https:\/\/images.turbotax.intuit.com\/iqcms\/marketing\/lib\/articlepics2\/avoid-tax-return-identify-theft\/shredded-paper-INF29089.jpg\")
6. Beware of Phishing<\/h3>\n\nPhishing is a term for online scams that use official-looking emails that seem to come from the IRS or your bank, but actually are from thieves seeking your SSN, bank account information or passwords. Always be suspicious of this kind of email. The IRS never requests financial or personal information in email communications, and neither do legitimate companies. In addition, the IRS won’t call you to tell you that you owe taxes. They will send you a letter.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\n
\n7. Shred Bank and Tax Documents<\/h3>\n\nThinking like a thief helps you reduce your risk of identity theft. Consider your tax documents, receipts and bank statements as potential trapdoors that allow entrance into your personal life. If you want to dispose of these financial documents safely, shred them.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\n
\n8. Reduce Credit Card Solicitations<\/h3>\n\nEven if you aren’t interested in that credit card solicitation, a thief might be. He could plan to get a credit card in your name as a first step toward obtaining your SSN. Treat these pieces of junk mail like dangerous documents by:<\/p>\n
\n- Shredding credit card solicitations.<\/li>\n
- Getting off the list for pre-approved credit card offers.<\/li>\n
- Reducing junk mail by changing your preferences at the Direct Marketing website.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
<\/p>\n
\n![\"Locked](\"https:\/\/images.turbotax.intuit.com\/iqcms\/marketing\/lib\/articlepics2\/avoid-tax-return-identify-theft\/locked-mailbox-INF29089.jpg\")
9. Keep On Top of Data Breaches<\/h3>\n\nWith so many data breaches making headlines in recent years, it’s more important than ever to safeguard your information and check for fraud. Not every type of stolen personal information will result in tax-related identity theft, but there are things you can do to help prevent becoming another victim including:<\/p>\n
Since protecting your SSN is critical, keep it private. Provide your SSN to others only when absolutely necessary \u2014 don\u2019t give it out just because a business asks for it or over email. Also, check your Social Security Administration earnings statement annually to make sure all your information is accurate.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/h3>\n\n3. Make Your Passwords Work for You<\/h3>\n
You don’t have to be tech-savvy to protect your accounts from hackers. Start by choosing a strong, unique password<\/strong> for each financial site you use, such as online banking, tax or brokerage accounts. Don’t have your computer automatically save passwords, especially on work computers, and change passwords regularly.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\n
\n<\/h3>\n\n4. Protect Against Computer Spam and Viruses<\/h3>\n
Take advantage of the security software updates your operating system offers and make it a habit to use a firewall and anti-spam and anti-virus software. Before you donate or recycle an old computer, consider using a data wipe program to make sure nobody can recover your hard drive data. Alternatively, remove the hard drive and have it professionally destroyed.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
<\/p>\n
\n5. Keep Financial Information Private<\/h3>\n\nThieves who can’t hack into your computer for your financial information may try to get your information in other ways. Be wary of providing personal information over the phone or through the mail. Unless you have initiated the contact or you are sure you know the person you’re talking to, it’s better just to say no.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
<\/p>\n
\n6. Beware of Phishing<\/h3>\n\nPhishing is a term for online scams that use official-looking emails that seem to come from the IRS or your bank, but actually are from thieves seeking your SSN, bank account information or passwords. Always be suspicious of this kind of email. The IRS never requests financial or personal information in email communications, and neither do legitimate companies. In addition, the IRS won’t call you to tell you that you owe taxes. They will send you a letter.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\n
\n7. Shred Bank and Tax Documents<\/h3>\n\nThinking like a thief helps you reduce your risk of identity theft. Consider your tax documents, receipts and bank statements as potential trapdoors that allow entrance into your personal life. If you want to dispose of these financial documents safely, shred them.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/p>\n
\n8. Reduce Credit Card Solicitations<\/h3>\n\nEven if you aren’t interested in that credit card solicitation, a thief might be. He could plan to get a credit card in your name as a first step toward obtaining your SSN. Treat these pieces of junk mail like dangerous documents by:<\/p>\n
\n- Shredding credit card solicitations.<\/li>\n
- Getting off the list for pre-approved credit card offers.<\/li>\n
- Reducing junk mail by changing your preferences at the Direct Marketing website.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
<\/p>\n
\n9. Keep On Top of Data Breaches<\/h3>\n\nWith so many data breaches making headlines in recent years, it’s more important than ever to safeguard your information and check for fraud. Not every type of stolen personal information will result in tax-related identity theft, but there are things you can do to help prevent becoming another victim including:<\/p>\n
3. Make Your Passwords Work for You<\/h3>\n
You don’t have to be tech-savvy to protect your accounts from hackers. Start by choosing a strong, unique password<\/strong> for each financial site you use, such as online banking, tax or brokerage accounts. Don’t have your computer automatically save passwords, especially on work computers, and change passwords regularly.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/p>\n Take advantage of the security software updates your operating system offers and make it a habit to use a firewall and anti-spam and anti-virus software. Before you donate or recycle an old computer, consider using a data wipe program to make sure nobody can recover your hard drive data. Alternatively, remove the hard drive and have it professionally destroyed.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/p>\n Thieves who can’t hack into your computer for your financial information may try to get your information in other ways. Be wary of providing personal information over the phone or through the mail. Unless you have initiated the contact or you are sure you know the person you’re talking to, it’s better just to say no.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/p>\n Phishing is a term for online scams that use official-looking emails that seem to come from the IRS or your bank, but actually are from thieves seeking your SSN, bank account information or passwords. Always be suspicious of this kind of email. The IRS never requests financial or personal information in email communications, and neither do legitimate companies. In addition, the IRS won’t call you to tell you that you owe taxes. They will send you a letter.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/p>\n Thinking like a thief helps you reduce your risk of identity theft. Consider your tax documents, receipts and bank statements as potential trapdoors that allow entrance into your personal life. If you want to dispose of these financial documents safely, shred them.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/p>\n Even if you aren’t interested in that credit card solicitation, a thief might be. He could plan to get a credit card in your name as a first step toward obtaining your SSN. Treat these pieces of junk mail like dangerous documents by:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n With so many data breaches making headlines in recent years, it’s more important than ever to safeguard your information and check for fraud. Not every type of stolen personal information will result in tax-related identity theft, but there are things you can do to help prevent becoming another victim including:<\/p>\n<\/h3>\n4. Protect Against Computer Spam and Viruses<\/h3>\n
5. Keep Financial Information Private<\/h3>\n
6. Beware of Phishing<\/h3>\n7. Shred Bank and Tax Documents<\/h3>\n
8. Reduce Credit Card Solicitations<\/h3>\n
\n
9. Keep On Top of Data Breaches<\/h3>\n