In Washington, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) urged families and teens to be extra careful with their personal information online. And while IRIS is making huge strides in combating identity theft and preventing many fraudulent tax returns, more help is needed.
During National Work and Family Month, the IRS asked families to be aware of all the pitfalls that can arise when sharing devices at home, shopping online, and browsing social media. Often, those who are less experienced can easily put themselves and others at risk by leaving behind a trail of personal information.
The IRS has joined forces with representatives from the software industry, accounting firms, payroll and tax preparers, and tax fraud investigators. This group, the “Security Summit,” has found methods that help reduce the number of tax returns entering tax systems.
There are several ways to protect children, young people and the less experienced on the Internet. First, remind them why internet safety is important. People of all ages should not reveal too much information about themselves. Keeping data secure and providing only what is necessary minimizes online exposure to scammers and criminals. Dates of birth, addresses, age and especially social security numbers are among the things that should not be shared freely.
Also, always use security software with a firewall and anti-virus. Make sure your security software is always turned on and can be updated automatically. Encrypt personal files, such as tax records, that are stored on computers. Use strong, unique passwords for each account. Make sure all family members have full protection, especially if they share devices.
Additionally, teach them to recognize and avoid scams. Phishing emails and threatening phone calls are very dangerous. Protect your personal information. Don’t carry your Social Security card with you every day. Keep it at home. Make sure financial records are safe. Advise children and teens to shop at reputable online stores.
Also, connecting to public Wi-Fi at a mall or coffee shop may be convenient, but it is definitely not secure. Hackers and criminals can easily intercept personal information.
Finally, you should always "keep your wits about you" and protect yourself from all situations even if you think something is not that dangerous.
