As the family gathered for Christmas, I finally had The Talk with my Favorite Nephew who was home from college. This talk was about being smart and taking steps to protect himself. We sat down with his laptop and I started by asking if he’d ever checked his credit report. First, I sent him to the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) website and showed him how to get his free … [Read more...] about Home for the holidays, time to have The Talk: get the new year off to a good start
Federal Trade Commission
Taxpayer Identity Theft – Protect Yourself
For the second time this week, someone I know has become the victim of identity theft. Again the person's Social Security number was used fraudulently to file something with the IRS. As I write each year, taxpayer identity theft is an ever growing problem. The best preventive option is to file your tax returns as early as possible. The IRS will take the first return filed. … [Read more...] about Taxpayer Identity Theft – Protect Yourself
Are You Backing Up Your Digital Life?
The holidays were filled with lots of wonderful opportunities to take pictures. Then those photos were downloaded to computers with the thought they would be held for safekeeping. But are they really secure? Many people were the happy recipients of new laptops or desktop computers that they are now happily using. Was a backup system also set up? The Federal Trade Commission … [Read more...] about Are You Backing Up Your Digital Life?
Be Aware and Fight Tax Identity Theft
With the approaching tax season comes reminders to protect yourself against identity theft and tax return fraud. This week is Tax Identity Theft Awareness Week. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has taken a leading role in fighting identity theft and making resources available to consumers such as how to protect your identity, your child’s identity, your medical identity, and … [Read more...] about Be Aware and Fight Tax Identity Theft
