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State tax dept. warns St. Lawrence County, other NY residents to take identity theft precautions

Posted 2/27/17

The New York State Department of Taxation and Finance, along with the Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection is encouraging state residents to take “proactive security measures” …

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State tax dept. warns St. Lawrence County, other NY residents to take identity theft precautions

Posted

The New York State Department of Taxation and Finance, along with the Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection is encouraging state residents to take “proactive security measures” to avoid being victimized by identity thieves.

“Be mindful of those who can access your personal information, and provide it only to those you know and trust,” Acting Commissioner of Taxation and Finance Nonie Manion said in a prepared statement. “Now that the income tax filing season is underway, scammers are eager to steal personal information, including social security numbers, to file bogus claims for tax refunds.”

“Scammers are particularly active during tax season, when sensitive personal information is shared, making filers vulnerable to identity theft,” New York Secretary of State Rossana Rosado said in the release. “We urge everyone filing taxes to take these helpful steps to keep their information protected. The Division of Consumer Protection stands ready to assist the Governor in his fight against cybercrime and ensure that New Yorkers information and hard-earned money is not at risk.”

The Tax Department says people should take the following steps to avoid identity theft:

1. Protect personal information, including social security numbers, birth dates, and driver license numbers. Shred documents containing sensitive data before discarding.

2. File a tax return as early as possible. The earlier one files their tax return, the less likely one’s information can be used by an identity thief to file a fraudulent claim for a tax refund.

3. Don’t be fooled by aggressive phone scams. Remember, the NYS Tax Department and the IRS will always send a letter before contacting by phone or email.

4. Don’t get hooked by a phishing scheme. Taxpayers may receive emails with authentic-looking government logos that offer assistance in settling fake tax issues. The NYS Tax Department and IRS will never request personal or financial information by email.

5. Report scam attempts. If one is contacted by a scammer posing as an IRS agent, they should contact the IRS. If one has been contacted by a con artist claiming to be from the New York State Tax Department, visit the Tax Department’s Report fraud, scams, and identity theft webpage to learn how to report it. The Tax Department reviews each complaint and takes corrective action, when appropriate.

6. Use a secure online connection. Ninety-two percent of New York taxpayers file electronically. Never file taxes while connected to public wi-fi networks, which are far less secure than those in a home or office. Also, never walk away from a computer screen when private information is visible.