Linn County Sheriff Bruce Riley is reminding citizens to be on the lookout for possible ID theft involving IRS tax refund fraud.
ID theft is one of the fastest growing crimes in America.
Other states, such as Washington, are reporting a growing number of individuals filing taxes using others’ name and Social Security number. Riley’s office has taken two reports involving tax fraud in rural Linn County.
He recommends that everyone check and monitor their financial accounts and credit report.
Other cautions include:
n Be smart on your passwords and be careful where you purchase items when online.
n Do not open e-mails from unknown sources and always shred sensitive documents that might contain personal information.
n Don’t give out your Social Security number and make sure you keep personal information secure in your home.
If you believe you have been a victim of tax fraud or your personal information has been stolen, contact your local law enforcement agency.
For information from the IRS, visit http://www.irs.gov and click on the identity theft tab.