MADISON, WI (WSAU-WXPR) — The Internal Revenue Service will begin accepting 2019 tax returns on Monday, meaning millions of Americans will now go through all the paperwork to get those refund checks from the federal and state governments.
But, what the state Department of Ag, Trade, and Consumer Protection want you to remember is there are also thousands of criminals out there that would like to get their hands on your refund as well.
This week marks Tax Identity Theft Awareness Week and Tuesday will be recognized as Data Privacy Day. Michelle Reinen tells WXPR Radio in Rhinelander that consumers should take time to remember some basic steps they can take to ensure their personal information stays personal.
“Data Privacy Day is a single day that is annually recognized for awareness to get consumers thinking about how they use the Internet and what kinds of details they’re sharing online. It also includes the steps they’re taking to protect their personal information,” she said.
Reinen ays with so much personal data stored electronically these days, it’s important to keep any device that can access such data as secure as possible by keeping passwords strong and all apps up to date.
“Strengthen the security around their online devices, share [information] with care and remember that personal information islike money. It needs to be valued and protected.”
Reinen adds that everyone should beware of the latest electronic scams and methods by scammers and beware of any unsolicited phone call or text message asking for personal data.
