Too many California taxpayers may be putting themselves at risk of tax identity theft. As managing editor Tami Roleff reports, there are some easy steps to protect your personal information from falling into the wrong hands…
Too many California taxpayers may be putting themselves at risk of tax identity theft. Nancy McPherson, with AARP California, says not safeguarding your personal information makes it easy for scammers to electronically file your tax return and collect your tax refund. She says all thieves need is a birth date and Social Security number, and many taxpayers make their personal information easy pickings.
“Many people fail to lock their mailbox, a really simple thing that they can do. They leave valuables exposed in their cars and they fail to destroy personal information.”
McPherson says filing your tax return early is another way to beat con artists to the punch. A recent study by the Federal Trade Commission ranks California third in ID theft complaints.
McPherson encourages people to not give out personal information unless they know who’s asking for it and why they need it. She also advises shredding personal and financial documents such as pay stubs, and make sure your tax preparer is legitimate.
