Tax Identity Theft Awareness Week January 26th-30th

Posted on by HV Shred

We have already addressed this issue recently but it can’t be emphasized enough. As the latest post on the FTC’s OnGuardOnLine blog states, tax season is increasingly a time of year when individuals are at risk for tax identity theft or IRS imposters. Tax identity theft happens when someone uses your Social Security number to get a tax refund or a job. You usually find out something’s wrong after you file your tax return.

Also, IRS imposters work year-round — posing as the IRS when they call and say you owe taxes. They even threaten to arrest you if you don’t put money on a prepaid debit card and tell them the card number. They might know all or part of your Social Security number, and can fake caller ID information to make it look like it really is the IRS calling. But it’s not. Ever.

Want to know what you can do about these scams? January 26th-30th is Tax Identity Theft Awareness Week. That week, the FTC, AARP, and the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) will be hosting a webinar. Join us to get the facts about these scams and learn how to protect yourself and those you care about:

Webinar on Tax Identity Theft and IRS Imposter Scams
Hosted by the FTC, AARP, and TIGTA
Open to everyone
Tuesday, Jan. 27th 2:00-3:30pm EST

Find login information, as well as articles and other resources, at ftc.gov/taxidtheft.

For more information on best practices to stay safe from identity theft, please visit www.hvshred.com

Free De-Clutter Program Saturday, January 17th

Posted on by HV Shred

It is our privilege to be a resource for the upcoming “De-Clutter” Program this upcoming Saturday.  The free event will help members of the Hudson Valley Community follow through on their New Year’s resolutions to get better organized in 2015. Offered to Dutchess County residents, this program is designed to help you get into the ORGANIZING mindset and prepare for improved CHANGE for your home, business and life!

Presenter is Sheila Delson, CPO-CD, founder of FREEDomain Concepts, LLC a 20-yr. award winning industry Professional Organizer, and co-sponsor, Maureen Lashlee, Director of Habitat for Humanity Dutchess County, bring combined objectives to educate, motivate and inspire Dutchess County residents to create more “spaces for your places!” Becoming better organized promotes efficiency and improves time management, saves money, less stress and overall improves one’s quality of life!  Habitat for Humanity is improving the quality of life for others right here in Dutchess County!  Please join us!

EVENT DATE & TIME: Saturday, January 17, 2015 – 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM  (snow date: 1/24/15)

REGISTRATION required: RSVP here – OR – call/email: Sheila Delson: 845-463-4140; sheila@freedomainconcepts.com SPACE IS LIMITED to 100 attendees only.

REGISTRATION  DEADLINE: January 15, 2015

DATE: 1/17/2015 (Sat 10:00AM – 12:00PM)

LOCATION: Senior Center, 14 Abe’s Way Drive, Poughkeepsie, NY

Safely de-cluttering often involves securely disposing of obsolete paperwork.  Remember anything thrown in the garbage is considered part of the public domain.  Even though using information to impersonate someone isn’t–the best course of action is to shred sensitive information.

For more information on best practices in identity theft protection, please visit www.hvshred.com

Identity Theft Again Atop “Dirty Dozen Tax Scams”

Posted on by HV Shred

As the saying goes, the only truly consistent thing is life is that things change.  Unfortunately, one of the things that stayed the same in 2014 is that Identity Theft once again topped the IRS’ “Dirty Dozen Tax Scams” list.

As defined by the IRS, “Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personal information, such as your name, Social Security number, or other identifying information, without your permission, to commit fraud or other crimes.  In many cases, an identity thief uses a legitimate taxpayer’s identity to fraudulently file a tax return and claim a refund”.

As the current year tax season gathers momentum, our first post of 2015 is a reminder to be extra vigilant as tax documents begin to arrive in the mail and you start to gather your files to file personally or bring to your accountant.

Now that the IRS has specifically targeted this scam as the “leader” of the dirty dozen, taxpayers and tax preparers should be that much more alert.

The potential damage to both the individual tax payer and, especially the tax preparer as trusted professional is worth using this space as a reminder to be mindful of taking every step imaginable to protect personally identifying information.

Store the data under virtual and physical lock and key; distribute only through secure methods; and when it has completed its useful life, be sure the data is securely disposed.

For more on best practices and, in particular, on site shredding service, please visit www.hvshred.com

Best Practices to avoid becoming a Sony-like Victim

Posted on by HV Shred

In the midst of the Sony hack, this seems like a good time to review “Cyber safety”. It’s a realm that impacts businesses and individuals on small and large scale. Beyond embarrassing and expensive, Sony has shown us the mushroom cloud that potentially hovers over each instance.

A joint effort is necessary.

The following blog is adapted from The US Department of Homeland Security’s “Stop. Think. Connect” site.

The Stop.Think.Connect.™ Campaign is a national public awareness effort to guide the nation to a higher level of Internet safety by challenging the American public to be more vigilant about practicing safer online habits. The Stop.Think.Connect. Campaign’s overarching goal is to help Americans understand not only the risks that come with using the Internet, but also the importance of practicing safe online behavior.

To understand and practice cybersecurity, individuals must be able to recognize risks, threats, and vulnerabilities that exist online and their impact at a national and individual level.

Who: Malicious actors intend to cause harm in cyberspace, such as a hacker stealing personal information. Benign actors accidentally cause harm to a network, system, or the Internet, such as an employee who accidentally downloads malware onto their company’s network.

What: Malicious actors exploit the anonymity and vulnerabilities of the Internet using methods that range in sophistication from botnets to viruses. Benign actors introduce threats through simple actions that can range from clicking on an unknown link to using a USB drive.

When: It is impossible to predict when a cyber incident will occur.

Where: Cyberspace, often interchanged with “the Internet” is created by and accessible through computer networks that share information and facilitate communication. Unlike the physical world, cyberspace has no boundaries across air, land, sea, and space.

Why: Benign actors unintentionally and often unknowingly cause harm while malicious actors may have a range of motives, including seeking confidential information, money, credit, prestige, or revenge. There are many risks online, some more serious than others. The majority of cybercriminals are indiscriminate; they target vulnerable computer systems regardless of whether they are part of a government agency, Fortune 500 company, a small business, or belong to a home user.

To minimize risk:

o Set strong passwords, change them regularly, and don’t share them with anyone.

O Keep your operating system, browser, and other critical software optimized by installing updates.

O Maintain an open dialogue with your friends, family, and colleagues about Internet safety.

O Use privacy settings and limit the amount of personal information you post online.

O Be cautious about offers online–if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

For more on best practices related to identity theft and related resources, please visit www.hvshred.com

Keep the Holidays Merry and Avoid this Latest Scam

Posted on by HV Shred

It’s already Christmas week and many of us are expecting packages to arrive on our doorsteps. That’s the good news. The bad news is, the scammers are, too.

In this week’s blog credited to Aditi Jhaveri a Consumer Education Specialist at the FTC, we cover the topic of being wary of these scammers.

The FTC has learned of a phony “delivery failure notification” email making the rounds. It looks like it’s from the U.S. Postal Service — but it’s not. The email says you missed a delivery. But, it says, if you print the attached form and take it to your local post office, you can pick up your package and avoid penalties. The message might also include a link for more details.

Here’s the truth: the email is bogus and there is no package. And if you download the attachment or click on a link, you’re likely to end up with a virus or malware on your device.

Con artists often use the names and logos of familiar organizations to get under your guard. So how do you tell what’s legit and what’s a scam? Here are some ways to spot a bogus email:

  • It tells you to click on a link or download an attachment
  • It urges you to take immediate action
  • It asks you to “re-confirm” personal or financial information

Another sure sign an email is a scam? If you hover over the link in the email, it won’t show the official website of the supposed sender — in this case, the U.S. Postal Service website.

If you have questions about a delivery by the U.S. Postal Service, visit usps.com or call 1-800-ASK-USPS.

For more on identity theft protection and best practices for security in all phases of data, please visit www.hvshred.com

Safe Holiday Shopping

Posted on by HV Shred

It’s the 11th hour and many of us are hastily making last minute orders to get that perfect gift in time for Christmas. Still, be mindful of some key aspects of the process to make sure we don’t fall into Identity theft traps along the way.

First and foremost, check the authenticity of the web address or URL. Above the web site at the top of your screen is a rectangular window that contains the web site address (also called the URL or Uniform Resource Locator).

Cyber-thieves have created web sites that look convincingly like the web sites of well known companies.  These sites will capture the credit card numbers of unwary shoppers when they attempt to purchase an item.  The thieves then use the stolen credit card numbers to make fraudulent purchases in the shopper’s name.  If these shoppers had checked the URL at the top of the screen, they could have noticed that it was not the same URL as the real company.

The following items shown on your web browser will indicate a connection to a secure web site.

  • https:// The “s” that is displayed after “http” indicates that web site is secure.  Often, you do not see the “s” until you actually move to the order page on the web site.
  • A closed yellow padlock displayed at the bottom of your screen or next to your URL box.  If that lock is open, you should assume it is not a secure site.

 

It’s also a good idea to research the vendor or website. Do business with companies you already know.  If the company is unfamiliar, investigate their authenticity and credibility. Conduct an internet search (i.e. Google, Yahoo) for the company name. The results should usually provide both positive and negative comments about the company. If there are no results, be extremely wary. Reliable companies should advertise their business address and at least one phone number, either customer service or an order line. Call the phone number and ask questions to determine if the business is legitimate.  Ask how the merchant handles returned merchandise and complaints.  Find out if it offers full refunds or only store credits.

Always advocates of “buy local”, when you shop on a website of a business that has locations within the U.S.  These stores must follow specific state and federal consumer laws.  You might not get the same protection if you place an order with a company located in another country.

Wishing all a very happy holiday season safe from identity theft and full of friends and family!

For more on identity theft protection, please visit www.hvshred.com

More Inspiration to Get Shredding & Recycling

Posted on by HV Shred

Over the course of the last few weeks, the focus of our blog has been on recycling. We have covered the most common materials–plastic bottles, pizza boxes, soda cans and the like.  Still, there is more that can be done.

Whether it’s the office or the home, food scraps and yard wastes can be recycled through composting. These materials which make up approximately 30% of our waste, can be turned into a beneficial soil amendment. Dutchess County currently does not have residential curbside pick-up of food scraps, but you can compost at home. It is a goal of Rethinking Waste to facilitate a pilot program for curbside food scrap pick-up for residents in the future.

Recycling is good for the wallet, too. Waste that is disposed of in Dutchess County either goes to the waste-to-energy facility, where a fee is charged, or it is landfilled. Waste that goes to a landfill is trucked 250+ miles away, and there are transportation costs (both monetary and environmental) and a fee. While there are costs associated with the collection and transport of recyclables, there is usually no fee, facilities are closer to home, and there may even be payment for the materials.

At HV Shred we are proud to facilitate our clients “going green” by recycling thousands and thousands of pounds of paperwork that would otherwise have been landfilled.  We protect identities, reputations, and help one and all comply with federal regulations.  It saves money by reducing waste as well hefty government fines.

Get on board and learn more on best practices for secured disposal of confidential data as well as protecting and preserving our local and global environment.  For more, please visit www.hvshred.com

Make Recycling a New Year’s Resolution

Posted on by HV Shred

Staying on our recycling theme, this week’s HV Shred blog aims to inspire readers to make recycling a New Year’s Resolution. In addition to the increased ease of single stream covered in last week’s blog, there are other items to consider:

Last month we touched on hazardous items such as electronics, automotive batteries, chemicals and rechargeable batteries should be taken to a Household Hazardous Waste collection event or taken back to the manufacturer under Product Stewardship regulations. The main idea is to think about what you put in a garbage can. Before you throw it away, take a look at the material and ask:

  • Can this be sold or donated for someone else’s use?
  • Can I put this in my recycle bin?
  • Is it harmful to the environment if it is buried in a landfill?

The motivations for recycling are many. First and foremost, it is good for the environment. It takes less energy to create new items from recycled materials than it does to create new products from raw materials. Mining minerals and milling trees into lumber require vast amounts of energy. Runoff from landfills, and metals like mercury, find their way into streams, rivers and oceans.

These are the most common materials that are recycled.  Come back again for part three next week for more inspiration.

For more tips on secured document destruction as well as recycling resources, please visit www.hvshred.com

HV Shred Tours Single Stream Recycling Plant

Posted on by HV Shred
HV Shred President tours single stream recycling plant with Chamber Green Committee

HV Shred President tours single stream recycling plant with Chamber Green Committee

As part of our mission at HV Shred, we position ourselves as part of the “reduce, reuse, recycle” movement. By recycling all shredded paperwork on behalf of our clients, we help keep thousands of pounds of recyclable material out of the landfills every year.

We also urge our clients to re-use what is practical. Though we are able to shred paperclips and binders, we urge our clients to recover what is reusable—which saves them money in purchasing new supplies as well as reduces their waste production. In and of itself, that lends itself to reducing–they don’t need to purchase new products.

To further our common cause, we use our blog and other opportunities to educate. Just last week, as part of our participation in the Dutchess Chamber’s Living Green Committee, we got to go on a tour of the local single stream recycling plant. It’s exciting to know so many products that used to be trash can now be recycled AND we no longer need to hassle with separate bins for paper, plastics, and glass. That’s the beauty of single stream—make it easier and the hope is for more widespread —if not UNIVERSAL PARTICIPATION!!!

Just about everything can be recycled. All plastics except polystyrene (Styrofoam) are now recyclable, but please do not put plastic bags in the recycling bin. They can get stuck in the recycling machines and cause damage. Plastic bags should be kept separate and recycled at your local retail or grocery store under the NYS Plastic Bag Reduction law.

All paper, newspaper and cardboard can be recycled. If you have been recycling for long time, you may remember when white and colored paper had to be separated, and glossy inserts and some cardboards, like cereal boxes, were not accepted. Not anymore. All types of paper and cardboard, including pizza boxes (please no cheese or crust in the box), can be put in the recycling bin. Flatten the boxes and recycle!

All cans, including metal and aluminum cans, metal jar lids and foil are recyclable.

Scrap metal, such as pipes, wires and fixtures, should be recycled at a scrap yard, as these items cause excessive damage to recycling equipment. Scrap metals can be recycled at several local Dutchess County scrap metal dealers, and most will pay you for the material.

Go for a tour at ReCommunity if you have a chance—it’s a blast and you’ll learn a lot!

For more resources related to identity theft protection and recycling please visit www.hvshred.com

Safely Disposing E-Waste

Posted on by HV Shred

Thanks to Karen Shan for her recent article in the Poughkeepsie Journal reminding the community of the importance of safely disposing of electronic waste. HV Shred is all about secure and safe disposal of confidential paperwork and oftentimes we get requests regarding what to do with electronic waste.

In addition to paper shredding, we also securely destroy hard drives. When it comes to key boards, monitors, printers, phones and other fast becoming obsolete electrical equipment, it is critical to keep in mind safe disposal.

Our colleagues at Royal Carting are a particularly good resource for this type of material. In the article, Attorney James P. Constantino, partner at Teahan & Constantino in Millbrook, who is general counsel for Royal Carting Service in Hopewell Junction explained that tech gear contains serious contaminants, such as lead, mercury, cadmium, manganese, arsenic, beryllium, barium and chromium metals, plus other toxic chemicals/compounds, such as phosphorus.

Constantino explained the importance of managing this waste stream/commodity and keeping it out of landfills and out of our ground water as critical for the health and safety of all of our citizens—particularly young children whose growth and development could be negatively impacted.

Among the products recycled by Royal Carting are: televisions, monitors, personal computers and associated equipment, printers, scanners, VCR/DVR/DVD players, portable digital music players, electronic or video game consoles, cellphones and more.

Locally, Royal Carting accepts, separates and stores e-waste at its Hopewell Junction and Wingdale transfer stations, with the goods subsequently transported to Regional Computer Recycling & Recovery for recycling and recovery processing. As well, the company files annual reports with the DEC to account for e-waste disposal.

Our Judith Papo was quoted in the article as well, noting: “Number one is reduce,” said Papo. “On the ‘reduce, reuse, recycle,’ priority one is reduce.”

For more information on proper e-recycling as well as secure document destruction, please visit www.hvshred.com