https://www.cpaforme.com https://www.cpaforme.com/texas-driver-s-license-information-stolen <div data-rss-type="text"> According Dave Lieber, The Watchdog, at the Dallas Morning News, 27.7 million Texas driver's license information was hacked. The information that was obtain includes Texas driver's license information (name, address, DL number), the color, model, year and VIN of your vehicle and the lender to whom you make car payments. </div> <div> <img src="https://irp-cdn.multiscreensite.com/18f935e5/dms3rep/multi/GettyImages-1141432832.jpg" alt="Man Shows Driver's License — Allen, TX — Newton Buckley, CPA" title="Man Shows Driver's License — Allen, TX — Newton Buckley, CPA"/> </div> <h2> What does this mean to a Texas driver? </h2> <div data-rss-type="text"> The information received can be used by a crook to send a letter or email pretending to be from your lending institution. He/she can use the stolen information to identify your correct vehicle and ask you to send your payment to a different address. Or the thieves could ask you to verify the information or make you a special offer by clicking on a link that would infect you with a virus or steal additional personal information from your computer. </div> <h2> <div> How Can I Protect Myself? </div> </h2> <div data-rss-type="text"> 1) If you receive an email asking you to verify your personal information, to change where you send a payment or offering any special rates, do not click on any links. Call the company directly. They can tell you if the email is legitimate.   <div> <br/> </div> <div> 2) If you receive a letter via US Mail asking you to change where you send your payments call your lender to verify that the change is legitimate. </div> <div> <br/> </div> <div> 3) Monitor your credit report which you can get free at www.annualcreditreport.com or by calling 1-877-322-8228 </div> <div> <br/> </div> <div> 4) Vertafore, who is responsible for the data breach, is offering one year of free credit monitoring and identity restoration services. Call Vertafore at 888-479-3560 or go to their website at www.vertafore.kroll.com </div> </div> Mon, 23 Nov 2020 22:29:33 GMT https://www.cpaforme.com/texas-driver-s-license-information-stolen thumbnail main image https://www.cpaforme.com/protect-yourself-against-scammers <div data-rss-type="text"> There are scam letters being received by taxpayers from the IRS on official-looking letterhead. If you happen to receive one, ensure you owe taxes and are sending the funds to a legitimate IRS address and not the one listed on the letter. If you are unsure if you have received a fraudulent letter, please contact our office. </div> <div data-rss-type="text"> Scammers want your Social Security number because it is the key to identity theft. The Social Security Administration estimates that scammers call thousands of Americans every day trying to trick people into giving them their personal information or to get them to send them money. <b> Don't be fooled! Stay Informed.​ </b> </div> <div> <img src="https://irp-cdn.multiscreensite.com/18f935e5/dms3rep/multi/GettyImages-1042788954.jpg" alt="Man is Receiving Call — Allen, TX — Newton Buckley, CPA" title="Man is Receiving Call — Allen, TX — Newton Buckley, CPA"/> </div> <h2> Warning Signs </h2> <div data-rss-type="text"> *Unsolicited calls from someone claiming to work for SSA <div> *A caller asks for your Social Security number. </div> <div> *A call or email threatens consequences - arrests, loss of benefits or suspension of your Social Security number. </div> </div> <h2> <div> <span> Hang Up </span> <br/> </div> </h2> <div data-rss-type="text"> If someone calls you and claims to be from the Social Security Administration and you did not have an appointment for the call scheduled, just hang up. </div> <h2> <div> <span> Don't Return Calls </span> <br/> </div> </h2> <div data-rss-type="text"> If a number is left on your answering machine by a robocaller don't return the call. If you need to call the Social Security Administration, call the customer service line at <a href="tel:800-772-1213"> <b> 800-772-1213 </b> </a> . But be aware that scammers can spoof this number so if it appears on your caller ID when someone is calling, don't assume it is the SSA. </div> <h2> <div> <span> Email Security </span> <br/> </div> </h2> <div data-rss-type="text"> Never send your Social Security Number via email. The SSA never requests information this way.  </div> Mon, 02 Mar 2020 03:11:54 GMT https://www.cpaforme.com/protect-yourself-against-scammers thumbnail main image