Following up on last week’s blog announcing the FTC’s Tax Identity Theft Awareness Week, here is a review of steps to take if you have the unfortunate experience of falling victim. If you think someone used your SSN for a tax refund or a job — or the IRS sends you a notice or letter…
The FTC (the government office tasked with identity theft related issues) recently announced January 13-17 as Tax Identity Theft Awareness Week. What follows is excerpted from the FTC’s recent blog. “The IRS uses your Social Security Number (SSN) to make sure your filing is accurate and complete, and that you get any refund you are…
Thanksgiving is in the rear view mirror and that means the holiday shopping season is now at full steam ahead. As we have noted in the past in this blog, we have found the FTC (the government office charged with dealing with Identity theft issues) to be a useful resource. What follows is the tips…
In this season of Thanksgiving, this week we’d like to use our blog to thank the Hudson Valley community for its continued support for HV Shred. We are excited to be moving into our 7th year as the Hudson Valley’s choice for on-site shredding service. Over the years, it has been our pleasure to be…
As we dig into the meat of the final quarter of 2013, we suggest businesses take a serious look at their current document filing practices. Many companies keep on storing more documents year after year because they have no idea when they are supposed to get rid of them. By default, they typically remain in…
Most of us have experienced the scam email from the friend/relative overseas in desperate need of money fast. In a strange but true experience, our family at HV Shred got the phone call. In textbook fashion, the scammers targeted a most vulnerable population–senior citizens. Seniors are most likely to be home to get these calls…
One of the blogs we monitor to keep our community aware of the latest scams is the Internet Crime Complaint Center. A recent posting on that site focused on “CryptoLocker Ransomware”. According to the FBI, CryptoLocker is a file encrypting Ransomware. Businesses receive an email with alleged customer complaints and contains an attachment that when…
At HV Shred, one of our goals with this Blog is to keep our community informed of the latest scams. Last month, the FBI reported that it was continuing to receive reports of spam e-mails that use FBI officials’ names and titles in online fraud schemes. Although there are different variations of these schemes, recipients…
Note: Next Friday, November 1st and Saturday, November 2nd may be the last time locals in the Hudson River Valley can recycle their CRT containing devices (televisions and computer monitors) for free!!! Regulars to this blog know beyond best practices in document security we also aim to be a resource for electronics recycling. We have…
This week we use our blog to remind our community about a common scam. Always be wary of automated voice messages when you pick up a call. An ongoing scam is the one that alerts recipients that their debit cards are inactive, frozen, or locked. Oftentimes, these calls repeat and have an official and insistent…