Better Business Bureau offers tips to avoid identity theft

Taxes are due to be filed Monday. Millions of Americans file their taxes each year. In fact, nearly 213.4 million returns and other forms were filed electronically in 2022, representing close to 81.2% of all filings. In fact, 93.8% of individual tax returns were filed electronically, according to the IRS.

Many Americans have already filed their taxes, leaving sensitive documents, including personal and financial information, lying around susceptible to scammers looking to steal identities. The Federal Trade Commission received 5.7 million reports of identity theft and fraud, 1.4 million of which were identity theft cases.

Identity theft is no joke. The current identity theft statistics in the country appear to show another year of ever-increasing cybersecurity issues. Don’t become a victim of identity theft — taking the necessary precautions this year.

To help fight back against identity theft, the Better Business Bureau is offering a free shredding event from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at Routsong Funeral Home in Centerville. This is a great way to dispose of your files — credit card statements, old checks, tax returns, etc. — safely. You may bring up to five boxes and the first 350 cars in line are guaranteed shredding. However, if you are unable to take advantage of this free service, the Better Business Bureau offers other tips for avoiding identity theft:

■ Shred documents containing your personal information. These include credit card applications, insurance forms, financial statements, health forms, tax documents and billing statements from utilities. Cut up expired credit and debit cards. While you should keep your tax returns forever, shred supporting documents after seven years. After one-year, shred bank statements, pay stubs and medical bills. Shred utility bills a month after they’re paid.

■ Be sure personal documents are in a safe place with a lock and key in your home.

■ Don’t click on unsolicited links in emails, texts and social media messages.

■ Use strong, long passwords and avoid using your birth date, child’s name or birth date, mother’s maiden name and digits from your Social Security number in the password. Also, change your password every three months and don’t use the same password for every account.

■ Install a firewall, anti-virus and anti-spyware software. Check for the latest updates and run virus scans regularly.

■ Use multifactor authentication, security questions, texts, emails, fingerprints, etc. to decrease the likelihood of a cyberattack.

■ Don’t let cybercriminals hack home routers and gain access to various internet-connected devices by keeping your Wi-Fi connection secure.

■ Be sure a website is using HTTPS with a lock pad symbol before you provide personal information.

■ Look for unexplained account activity, such as unfamiliar charges or withdrawals, on statements. Know when your bills are due. One tip-off for identity theft is when you stop receiving certain bills.

■ Check your credit reports frequently for unauthorized inquiries and accounts. In the U.S., you have the right to check with each of the three major credit bureaus annually at AnnualCreditReport.com.