The threat for tax data theft is still increasing most especially now that tax season has officially started again. Many identity thieves and tax fraud criminals are on the hunt for tax data to mine and exploit. As a taxpayer, you should be careful with your data and implement precautions to avoid coming across these criminals.
If you hired a tax preparer to help you this season, one precautious action you can do is to ask them about their security policies. Remember, these tax preparers also have access to the data that you are protecting.
Here are a series of questions to ask tax preparers to assess their security policies to protect your data:
- Are all the places where my information is located protected from unauthorized access?
- What about other potential dangers such as theft, flood and tornado?
- Are there written procedures that prevent unauthorized access and unauthorized processes?
- Is my information left unsecured? This includes data stored electronically.
- Do you check desks, photocopiers, mailboxes, vehicles and trashcans?
- Have you taken steps to secure data in rooms in the office or at home where unauthorized access could occur?
- Who authorizes or controls delivery and removal of taxpayer information, including data stored electronically?
- Are the doors to your file rooms and computer rooms locked?
- Is there a secure disposal of taxpayer information, such as shredders, burn boxes, or secure temporary file areas for information until it can be properly disposed?
Remember that you have the right to know what happens to your data when preparers handle them. Ask further questions if you need more clarifications then assess their answers to know if your data are truly on the right hands.
If you would like to get more information about the safeguarding of your tax data, contact us today at admin@fas-accountingsolutions.com or 832-437-0385.