How At-Risk is Your Tax Information?

Tax time is stressful by its own rights. No one likes paying taxes. But identity theft makes tax time even more stressful. Your identity is tied to your Social Security Number, which is flying around all over the place during tax time. Think about it, employers mail you forms with your SSN on it. Then you have to turn around and share those forms with a tax-preparer or send them through the mail to the IRS. You're more at risk during tax time than any other time of the year.

The IRS recognizes that and has established a committee to review the risk to your information during tax time. Unfortunately, what the committee found is that the potential for identity theft abounds. During the months between July 2007 and September 2008, the committee investigated more than 300 data breaches at the IRS that could potentially lead to identity theft.

It's frightening how at risk you really are; especially when you're at risk in ways that you might not realize. So, I'll say it again (and again, and again) get into the habit of monitoring your credit reports. Learn the signs of identity theft. And always be cautious of the dangers of identity theft.