Californians are urged to use these tips to better prevent tax-related identity theft.

1. Prevent Identity Theft
During the 2014 Tax Season

2. California Attorney
General Kamala D.
Harris asks
Californians to keep a
keen eye on their tax
filing process in order
to prevent identity
theft.

3. Identify theft in Caifornia increases in January and
often occurs when:
• Identity-thieving tax schemers use
stolen personal information to file
tax returns in someone else’s
name in order to obtain a refund.
• Schemers use a stolen Social
Security number (SSN) for
employment, which may
complicate income tax obligations
for the victims

4. Californians are urged to use these tips to better
prevent tax-related identity theft:
Do not answer emails from the IRS
• State and federal agencies never get in contact by
email, text message or social media to ask about
financial information or to send notice regarding audits
or refunds.
• If you feel you need to check if one is real (it very
probably isn’t), call the IRS and ask: (800) 829-1040

5. Tips To Better Prevent Tax-Related Identity Theft…
Passwords
• Passwords are important and should be
extremely hard to guess (don’t use
“password,” or “1234567,” or your birth
date).
• Change them frequently. A strong
password is at least eight characters and
includes a combination of at least three
upper and/or lowercase letters, symbols,
punctuation and numerals.

6. Tips To Better Prevent Tax-Related Identity Theft…
Use Common Sense
• Don’t toss old tax returns or bank
statement in the trash without shredding
them.
• If you are sending it by U.S. mail, never
leave it in an unlocked mailbox. Always
use registered or certified mail.
• Use a locked mailbox and don’t leave
your mail in it for long periods of time.

7. Tips To Better Prevent Tax-Related Identity Theft…
For e-Filers
• Don’t use a public computer. Check your
computer for any viruses
• Don’t click on suspicious-looking links in
your email.
• Once you have e-filed your return, save
it to a flash drive or CD and then delete
the tax information from your hard
drive.

8. You could have a tax identity theft problem if you
receive a letter from the IRS or FTB stating the
following:
• someone has already filed using your
information
• you filed more than one tax return
• you received wages from an employer for
whom you have not worked or,
• you have a balance due, refund offset or
have had collection actions taken against
you for a year in which you did not file a
return.

9. If you receive such a letter (not an email) from the IRS
or FTB, immediately contact the identity theft unit:
• Internal Revenue Service: phishing@irs.gov
• IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit
1-800-908-4490
• California Franchise Tax
Board: www.ftb.ca.gov/individuals/id_theft.shtml#ID
ID Theft Resolution Coordinator
1-916-845-3669

10. Cost-U-Less proudly offers Identity Theft Insurance
To find out more visit http://www.costulessdirect.com/ or visit one of
our social media platforms.