Catherine M. Censullo CPA
Tax Tip

PROTECTING YOUR IDENTITY

Did you know that the IRS has a Taxpayer Guide to Identity Theft?  Should you discover that your identity has been compromised or stolen, here is the link:  http://www.irs.gov/uac/Taxpayer-Guide-to-Identity-Theft.

In the meantime, the IRS Guide recommends there actions to minimize your chance of becoming an identity theft victim:

1.  Don't carry your Social Security card or any document(s) with your SSN on it.

2.  Don't give a business your SSN just because they ask.  Give it only when required.

3.  Protect your financial information.

4.  Check your credit report every 12 months.  Under the Fair and Accurate Transaction (FACT) Act, at your request, Equifax, and each of the other 2 major credit reporting agencies, Experian and TransUnion, will provide you with one free credit report every 12 months.  You can contact them as follows:

- Equifax - www.equifax.com or 1-800-525-6285
- Experian - www.experian.com or 1-888-397-3742
- TransUnion - www.transunion.com or 1-800-680-7289

5.  Secure personal information in your home.

6.  Protect your personal computers by using firewalls, anti-spam/virus software, update security patches, and change passwords for Internet accounts.

7.  Don't give personal information over the phone, through the mail or on the Internet unless you have initiated the contact or you are sure you know who you are dealing with.




Catherine M. Censullo, CPA
914.997.7724
catherine.censullo@cmcensullocpa.com

Images ©Encore Software, Inc., and its licensors.  All rights reserved.
Images may not be saved or downloaded and are only to be used for viewing purposes.