How To Prevent Identity Theft + The Fellows 63Cb Shredder Giveaway ($149 Value)

As you all know, tax season is nearing the finale and unfortunately identity theft related to this yearly requirement is on the rise. In fact I was recently made aware that the Identity Theft Resource Center (IRTC) calculated that IRS-related identity theft has increased by almost 77 percent during the past two tax seasons.  Additionally, the FTC reported a 3% increase of ID theft complaints in the past year (43% of which were tax or wage related frauds).

 “A lot of information changes hands during tax season, which is why we believe we see so many IRS-related identity theft cases this time of year,” said Eva Valasquez, President and CEO of the ITRC. “And although more and more people are now e-filing, we still need to be cautious of how we are protecting information offline.”

With all this in mind, Fellowes Inc. is partnering the ITRC to educate about the threat of identity theft and to share their professional insight on how families can prevent this costly crime from happening to them. Here's a list of their Tax Time Tips to keep in mind:

• Install a firewall on your computer and change passwords frequently using a combination of letters, numbers and symbols
•  Select tax preparation software carefully if you intend to do your own tax return
• File at the earliest time possible allowed by the IRS
•  Send completed tax returns via a U.S. Postal Office. Mailing from home exposes your tax returns to potential risk
• Do not send sensitive documents/information over unprotected e-mail
• Never file your electronic tax return using an unsecured public WiFi connection.  A secure site will have its address begin with https:// rather than http://
•  Throughout the year, store sensitive tax season documents in a fireproof, locked cabinet
• Shred no-longer-needed tax documents with a Cross-Cut shredder. 

I found these to be great tips and while we already been following many of them, we've added a new Fellowes 63Cb Shredder to our household for additional protection.

We have had a shredder for awhile but this one is awesome and I have one upstairs right by my desk now instead of in the basement hidden.  I was always nervous about having one up stairs.  The Fellowes SafeSense® technology that automatically stops shredding when hands touch the paper opening won me over.  I tested it with my own hands numerous times and found it really does make it impossible for even my curious twins to be harmed.  Other great features include the Jam BlockerTM technology, the Energy Savings System, and the Heavy-duty Cross-Cut blades that destroys a single sheet of paper into 302 particles.  Worth noting, I loved that it could even chop up my old credit cards too.

The 63Cb is available at www.Amazon.com, www.OfficeDepot.com and www.OfficeMax.com for a suggested retail price of $149.99  For more information, visit www.fellowes.com

Giveaway 

One My SLC Mommy will win a 63Cb Shredder to help protect your identity.

To Enter

Leave a comment telling me where you will keep your shredder then fill out the form with your additional entries:a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good Luck!

Disclosure:  I was sent the Fellowes 63Cb Shredder by the company for review.  Opinions expressed are my own.

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