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Friday, 11 April 2014

Online Education & Online Degree Course

An online degree could be a tutorial degree (usually a university degree, but generally the term includes high school diplomas associate degrees non-degree certificate programs) which is able to be earned primarily or entirely through the use of AN Internet-connected laptop, rather than attending college in an exceedingly} very ancient field setting. enhancements in technology, the increasing use of the net worldwide, and additionally the would really like for people to possess versatile school schedules whereas they are operative have diode to a proliferation of on-line colleges that award associate, bachelor\'s, master\'s, and student degrees.

Accreditation:.
The goal of educational certification, according to the North American nation Department of Education, is to form positive that programs provided by institutions of higher education meet acceptable levels of quality. ENEMA, the European Association for Quality Assurance in teaching, describes the role of external quality assurance in education conjointly that \"combines every responsibility for the support of the final public associate degrees AN objective and biological process role for enhancing quality in institutions\". at intervals the area of on-line education, it is necessary to avoid unauthorized certification mills that offer faux degrees, as these ar sadly common. Students seeking valid on-line degrees have to be compelled to acquire proof of certification from associate applicable national or regional accrediting body. In the us, on-line faculties that ar all licensed have earned  a wide best-known quite university certification from one in all six regional certification boards.[3] each of six geographic regions of the North American nation has one in all these boards, a non-governmental agency that oversees and accredits degree-granting institutions headquartered in their areas. The U.S. Department of Education and thus the Council for teaching certification (CHEA) acknowledge the area Education and training Council (DETC) as a result of the accrediting organization for distance learning institutions and teaching programs that offer on-line degrees. However, DETC certification is usually (though not universally) viewed as inferior to regional certification, and regionally licensed faculties may refuse to easily settle for transfer credit from DETC-accredited faculties plenty of typically than they could refuse credit from different regionally-accredited faculties. Outside of the North American nation, different national and regional standards of certification hold, and can be very substantiation of, distance education. as AN example, the University Oberta Delaware Catalina, or university of dominion, has been licensed by AQU, the Agency for Quality Assurance at intervals the Catalan University System (a full member of ENQA ), since its origination in 1995, and has been called a \"significant success story\" as \"the world\'s initial continuous, and property, virtual university\".[5]Similarly, in Ireland, the higher Education and training Awards Council (HETAC) has licensed form of on-line faculties and degrees, e.g. Sextant school.

Auto Insurance Quotes

Vehicle & motorcar Insurance:.
Vehicle insurance, among the u. s. et al., is meant to cover risk of financial liability or the loss of a auto the owner may face if their vehicle is bothered throughout a collision resulting in property or physical damages. Some states want a auto owner to carry some minimum level of insurance. States that do not want the vehicle owner to carry insurance embody Virginia, where academic degree uninstallable auto fee is additionally paid to the state; New Hampshire, and Mississippi that gives vehicle homeowners the selection to post cash bonds (see below). The privileges and immensities clause of Article IV of the U.S. Constitution protects the rights of voters in each many state once traveling to a special. A auto owner sometimes pays insurers a monthly fee, sometimes called academic degree premium. The premium a auto owner pays is often determined by a variety of things along side the type of lined vehicle, the age and gender of any lined drivers, their driving history, and thus the placement where the vehicle is primarily driven and keep. many insurance companies offer premium discounts supported these factors. Insurance companies provide a auto owner with academic degree insurance card for the particular coverage term that\'s to be unbroken among the vehicle among the event of a traffic collision as proof of insurance. Recently, states have started passing laws that electronic versions of proof of insurance can presently be accepted by the authorities.

Public Policy of motorcar Insurance:.
In the us, automotive insurance covering liability for injuries and property damage is obligatory in most states, but fully totally different states enforce the insurance demand otherwise. In Virginia, where insurance is not obligatory, residents ought to pay the state a $500 annual fee per vehicle if they decide on to not acquire insurance. Penalties for not shopping for insurance vary by state, but sometimes embody a substantial fine, license and/or registration suspension or revocation, and potential jail time. Usually, the minimum required by law is third party insurance to defend third parties against the financial consequences of loss, damage or injury caused by a vehicle. Golden State and New Jersey have enacted \"Personal Responsibility Acts\" that place a lot of pressure on all drivers to carry insurance by preventing uninsured  drivers from sick non economic damages (e.g. compensation for \"pain and suffering\") if they are slashed in any approach whereas operative a motorcar. Some states, like North realm, want that a driver hold insurance before a license are issued. Some states want that proof of insurance be motorcar driven among the automotive in any respect times, whereas others do not. for example, North realm does not specify that proof of insurance ought to be carried among the vehicle; it\'ll, however, want that a driver have that information to trade with A alternative driver among the event of AN accident. Arizona Department of Transportation analysis Manager John Siemens has prompt that automotive insurers issue license plates and be command accountable for the full worth of injuries and property damage caused by their licensees below the funfair model. Plates would expire at the highest of the total of cash quantity, and licensees would need to return their plates to their insurance work to receive a refund on their premiums. Vehicles driving whereas not insurance would thus be straightforward to spot as a results of they may not have license plates, or the plates would be past the marked expiration date.

Thursday, 20 February 2014

Pay-As-You-Drive Insurance: How Americans Could Save More

Most large, nationwide auto insurers offer customers an interesting way to save on premiums: let them track how you drive.  But a new survey shows many Americans miss out on these discounts because they don’t know much about these programs.
An insuranceQuotes.com survey found that 58 percent of consumers have never heard of pay-as-you-drive insurance programs, such as Snapshot® from Progressive, Drivewise® from Allstate and Drive Safe & Save™ from State Farm.
These programs, also known as pay-how-you-drive insurance or usage based insurance, use telematics (technology that allows insurers to track vehicles) to gather data about driving habits and ultimately offer lower premiums to safe drivers.
But despite a general lack of knowledge about pay-as-you-drive insurance, many consumers say no way. Thirty-seven percent of people surveyed said they would never sign up. And another 35 percent would only do so for a discount of 25 percent or more.
Experts say this reluctance stems from a range of concerns, including legitimate worries about privacy to misconceptions about what insurers track. The operations director for Allstate’s Drivewise® program, Sarah Inciong, says, “There are still a lot of myths we have to dispel because this is so new.”

Many consumers are confused about pay-as-you-drive insurance

pay as you drive thumbThe survey of 1,000 U.S. adults, conducted for insuranceQuotes.com by Princeton Survey Research Associates International in October 2013 found that 68 percent of consumers who’ve heard of pay-as-you drive insurance do know that you pay less for auto insurance if you drive well.
But the survey found that many consumers are confused about the specifics. For example, consumers aren’t clear about the four major metrics most pay-as-you-drive programs track:
  • The speed you drive. About 41 percent of those surveyed either incorrectly said the programs don’t track how fast you drive, or they weren’t sure. Most programs do track speed, but you probably won’t get dinged for going a few miles over the limit now and then, experts say. For example, Allstate’s Drivewise® program looks for “excessive speed,” like how often you go over 80 miles per hour, Inciong says.
  • The time of day you drive. About 58 percent of consumers either incorrectly said pay-as-you-drive programs don’t track when you drive, or weren’t sure. In fact, experts say that when you drive can tell an insurer a lot. For example, a driver who battles daily rush hour traffic on the highway is riskier to insure than one who works from home, says Scott McCormick, president of the Connected Vehicle Trade Association.
  • The miles you drive.  Sixty-two percent correctly answered that pay-as-you-drive programs track the number of miles driven. But 25 percent answered incorrectly and 13 percent weren’t sure.
  • How hard you brake. And 63 percent of consumers either incorrectly said that pay-as-you-drive programs don’t measure how hard you brake, or didn’t know. In fact, how you brake is a major indicator of the safety of your driving, Inciong says.
And some consumers think that insurers are gathering information that they’re not. About 50 percent of those who know about pay-as-you-drive mistakenly said it tracks whether you drink and drive.
“It’s not a breathalyzer machine,” says Sonja Larkin-Thorne, a National Association of Insurance Commissioners consumer representative. She adds that the telematics device can give your insurer the general location of your car, but probably won’t tip them off that your car was parked at a restaurant for three hours on Friday night and you might have had a drink at the bar.
She says, “It’s designed to look at your driving habits and vehicle usage, not whether you’ve had a glass of wine.”

Pay as you drive insurance and privacy

Many consumers say they’d be reluctant to sign up for pay-as-you-drive insurance for privacy reasons. In fact, 25 percent of consumers said they’re concerned about their personal information being shared, while 20 percent said they don’t want their insurer to know that much about them.
Privacy is a legitimate concern with pay-as-you-drive insurance. “Consumers aren’t going to know the full story until there’s full and complete disclosure,” Larkin-Thorne says. Right now, not a lot is known about how these programs work because insurers guard many of the details, she says.
But others say privacy concerns are overblown. For example, McCormick says insurers are more concerned about gathering and analyzing the data as a whole to help set better rates than they are about any one driver.
Some consumers do have reason to worry – but it might be because they have something to hide that has nothing to do with their driving, he says.
For example, some consumers might be nervous about their insurers tracking their movements, he says. The Hartford’s TrueLane program, for example, uses GPS to collect location information – mostly to show consumers where certain driving events happened, according to its website.  Other programs, such as Progressive’s Snapshot, don’t have that feature – possibly to help put nervous consumers at ease.
“There will always be people who are having an affair, moonlighting when not supposed to, or partying too much and don’t want to get caught,” McCormick says.

Should you enroll in pay-as-you-drive insurance?

Most insurers offer usage-based insurance programs only in certain states because of differences in state law. Each state has different rules on what information insurers can track, how they can use that data, how they can set rates and what they must disclose to consumers. In California, for example, programs that track only mileage are available while programs that track how you drive are not.
Shopping for car insurance? Get your free car insurance quotes here
If you do have a program available to you, here are five tips to help you know if pay-as-you-drive insurance is right for you:
1. Assess your driving skills.  
The survey found that 63 percent said they’re either much better or somewhat better drivers than others. And only one percent said they’re worse.
Obviously, everyone can’t be above average so experts say it’s important to be honest about how well you drive. One big clue is your past driving record. If you have a history of accidents and speeding tickets you might not want to sign up, says Pat Speer, property and casualty insurance analyst for the Aite Group, who conducts research on telematics.
2. Ask a lot of questions.
Consumers should make sure they fully understand a program before signing up, Larkin-Thorne says. Here are some questions experts say you should ask:
  • What information do you track? Some companies, such as National General Insurance, track only mileage while others track how you drive and even where you go.
  • Will I get a discount and how much? Many programs advertise discounts for low mileage, good driving or both. But some simply collect your information without offering a discount.
  • How is the discount calculated? Ask for specifics about how the company decides who saves and how much. “Each company has a different approach,” Speer says.
  • Could I be penalized in any way? You should ask whether you might face any negative consequences – such as higher rates or getting dropped by your insurer – because of your driving, McCormick says.  For example, with Allstate’s Drivewise® program, Inciong, says, “The worst that could happen, if you’re a very unsafe driver, is you wouldn’t (get) any savings.” Most insurers say they won’t raise program participants’ rates for unsafe driving. However, McCormick says some companies might raise rates in the future or refuse to renew policies for bad drivers.
  • How long will the device stay on my car? Some programs require policyholders to use the device for, say, six months to get a discount while others require consumers to use it indefinitely, Larkin-Thorne says. Some track your information through an existing onboard service like OnStar.
3. Get the policy in writing.
Don’t just rely on what your insurance company or agent tells you, Larkin-Thorne warns.  Your policy should tell you exactly what is tracked, how the information will be used and whether it will be shared with a third party and, if so, whether that includes information that would identify you. “Find out what rights you’re giving up or signing away,” she says.
4. Don’t plan to game the system.
Think you can let up on your lead foot or stop partying until 2 a.m. while you’re being tracked, then revert to your old ways? Don’t count on it, Larkin-Thorne says. You might be able to drive more carefully for a little while, but it probably won’t last for the six months or longer the device is on your car. Some programs, such as Allstate’s require you to leave the device on as long as you’re in the program. “People tend to go back to their old ways eventually, so the company is going to be able to measure your real driving habits,” she says.
5. Make sure the program pays off. If you do sign up for a pay-as-you-drive program, take a hard look at the actual savings you get and see if it’s worthwhile. “You won’t really know until you see your bill,” Larkin-Thorne says.

Auto Insurance Rate Increase After One Claim By State (Map)

map below you can find your state and see how much your rates may increase if you make one auto insurance claim - and how your state stacks up against other states in the U.S. Click on the map to enlarge it. 

Wednesday, 19 February 2014

Making One Auto Insurance Claim Can Increase Your Rate By Up To 67%

auto insurance claim rate increase table thumbMany consumers realize that filing an auto insurance claim will likely result in a raised annual premium. What may be shocking to some, however, is just how significant that premium increase may be.
A December 2013 Quadrant study, commissioned byinsuranceQuotes.com, examined the average economic impact of filing various claims on your auto insurance policy. Using a hypothetical 45 year-old married female driver who is employed, has an excellent credit score, no lapse in coverage and has filed no prior auto insurance claims, the study looked at how much annual premiums can go up after filing one of three different types of claims: 
  • Bodily injury.
  • Property damage.
  • Comprehensive.
The study not only looked at the impact of these three different types of claims but also the impact of the claim's dollar amount ($500, $750, $1,000 and $2,000 or more) and compared the average premium increases for all 50 states and Washington, D.C. The results were intriguing to insurance analysts and experts.

Auto insurance rate increases after a claim by state

The study found that if you make one auto insurance claim, the average increase nationally is 38 percent. According to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, the average cost of an auto insurance premium in the U.S. is $791, so an increase of 38 percent would result in a $301 increase. It's important for consumers to note that rate increases only apply to bodily injury and property damage claims where you are at fault. If you are rear-ended by another driver, their insurance or your uninsured motorist coverage will cover your claim and your rates won't be affected.
Click here to see more great videos at the insuranceQuotes.com Youtube page. 
The study found that rate increases varied widely by state. For instance, results showed that Massachusetts drivers who file any kind of auto claim of $2,000 or more may see their annual premiums increase by an average of 67 percent. According to a 2010 report by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), Massachusetts drivers paid an average auto insurance premium of $890.83 in 2010, meaning a single auto insurance claim in that state could result in a $597 annual increase.
However in Maryland, where the average premium is $948, one $2,000 auto insurance claim will only raise residents’ annual premium by 20 percent (or about $190, according to NAIC figures).
The following five states showed the greatest average premium increase as a result of filing any type of claim of $2,000 or more:
1. Massachusetts — 67 percent increase
2. California — 62 percent increase
3. New Jersey — 59 percent increase
4. North Carolina — 47 percent increase
5. Minnesota — 45 percent increase
Meanwhile, the following five states, on average, showed the smallest percentage premium increase as a result of filing any type of claim of $2,000 or more:
1. Maryland — 20 percent increase
2. Alabama — 22 percent increase
3. Michigan — 23 percent increase
4. Wyoming — 23 percent increase
5. Oklahoma — 25 percent increase
According to Robert Hartwig, president and chief economist for the nonprofit Insurance Information Institute (III), it's no surprise that insurance premiums increase after filing a claim. The reason is because insurers know that filing one claim makes you more likely to file another one in the future, thus making you a more risky and expensive customer  to insure.
"People shouldn't view an increased premium as a penalty, but rather as an assessment of your risk moving forward," Hartwig says. "(After making a claim) you’re now that much more likely to be involved in an accident in the future. But I’m very surprised by the magnitude of these numbers."
According to California Department of Insurance commissioner Dave Jones, policyholders should consider these average premium increases as just one possible outcome of filing a single auto insurance claim.
“Good drivers in California receive a significant premium discount while those whose driving record indicates they present a higher risk typically pay much higher rates,” Jones says. “However, the bottom line is that the overall rate levels in California have been kept in check by our rate regulation process which has saved our consumers billions of dollars.”

Auto insurance rate increases for bodily injury claims

In 49 states and the District of Columbia, drivers are required by law to obtain a minimum amount of liability coverage that insures the policyholder against damage to property and injuries caused to individuals in an accident (New Hampshire, which doesn’t require minimum liability coverage, is the only exception). These are known as bodily injury claims, and they're often the most expensive.
According to the III, the average auto liability claim for bodily injury in 2012 was $14,653.
"Most people probably think the majority of auto insurance claims go toward repairing vehicles, but in reality they go towards repairing people," Hartwig says. "And it's usually a lot more expensive to repair a person than it is to repair a vehicle."
According to the insuranceQuotes.com study, filing one bodily injury claim of $2,000 or more will result in a national average premium increase of 41.6 percent (or about $330) per year. However, there are several states that buck the national average.
The following five states showed the greatest average premium increase as a result of filing one bodily injury claim of $2,000 or more:
1. Massachusetts — 73 percent increase
2. California — 68 percent increase
3. New Jersey — 63 percent increase
4. North Carolina — 52 percent increase
5. Minnesota — 49 percent increase
The reasons for so much disparity from state to state are varied and nuanced, says Pete Moraga, spokesman for the Insurance Information Network of California. According to Moraga, rate swings between states come from several factors, including the nature and severity of claims filed in a given state, as well as the different ways in which insurance is regulated from state to state.
"State regulations give insurers a certain amount of leeway in how they can apply claims history to premium increases," Moraga says. 
Depending on what the state allows, Moraga says some insurers will charge more, and others will charge less for previous claims history. What’s more, some insurers will sell policies that include perks like accident forgiveness, which keeps premiums down even if you’ve filed a previous claim 
Dan Weedin, a Seattle-based insurance and risk management consultant, says he isn't surprised to see that bodily injury claims result in the largest overall premium increase compared to property damage and comprehensive.
"Liability claims are more concerning to insurers and will always cost more," Weedin says. "And the bigger the threat to the insurer, the higher the premium and the consequences. 

Auto insurance rate increases for property damage claims

When you're involved in an accident that results in damage to your vehicle, someone else's or other types of property, like mailboxes or buildings, you’re likely to file a property damage claim. In general, these are far less expensive than bodily injury claims.
According to the III, the average auto claim for property damage in 2012 was $3,073.
According to the insuranceQuotes.com study, filing one property damage claim of $2,000 or more will result in a national average premium increase of 41.11 percent (or about $325) per year. However, as with bodily injury claims, several states fall above and below this average.
The following five states showed the greatest average premium increase as a result of filing one property damage claim of $2,000 or more 
1. Massachusetts — 73 percent increase
2. New Jersey — 71 percent increase
3. California — 63 percent increase
4. Minnesota — 50 percent increase
5. Arizona — 49 percent increase
Meanwhile, the following five states, on average, showed the smallest percentage premium increase as a result of filing one property damage claim of $2,000 or more 
1. Connecticut — 22 percent increase
2. Michigan — 24 percent increase
3. Alabama — 24 percent increase
4. Wyoming — 25 percent increase
5. Maryland — 25 percent increase
And while the average bodily injury claim is nearly five times more expensive than a property damage claim, the premium increases are similar because the factors used to determine those increases are the same.
“It’s all about the way a previous claim makes you riskier to insure moving forward,” Hartwig says. “The cost of the claim isn’t what’s most important, but rather the statistical likelihood of filing another claim in the future. And that’s more or less the same for bodily injury and property damage.”
Considering the possible rate increase, Hartwig says policyholders need to do the math when faced with a potential property damage claim.
"Because these can be much smaller claims, the decision to file a property damage claim is going to depend a lot on your deductible," Hartwig says. "For instance, if you have a $500 deductible and you caused $500 worth of damage, it probably doesn't make sense to file a claim."

Auto insurance rate increases for comprehensive claims

Comprehensive coverage pays for vehicle damage that comes from something other than a collision, such as fire, hail or theft. According to the III, the average cost of a comprehensive claim in 2012 was $1,585.
Since comprehensive claims are the result of situations beyond the policyholder's control, premiums are affected far less drastically than for bodily injury or property damage claims (if they're affected at all).
"Comprehensive claims are a different animal altogether, because they’re not the result of anything the driver did," Hartwig says. "If a tree falls on your car while it's parked overnight, that's not related to how you drive." 
As a result, the national average premium increase for these types of claims is fairly negligible. According to the insuranceQuotes.com study, filing one comprehensive claim of $2,000 or more will result in a national average premium increase of just 1.74 percent (or about $14) per year. However, a few states fall above this average. 
The following five states showed the greatest average premium increase as a result of filing one comprehensive claim of $2,000 or more:
1. Nebraska — 10 percent increase
2. Iowa — 9 percent increase
3. South Dakota — 8 percent increase
4. Louisiana — 7 percent increase
5. Connecticut — 6 percent increase
Meanwhile, 20 states showed a premium increase of less than 1 percent, and 11 of those showed no increase at all.

When will your premium go back down?

The good news is that increased premiums don't last forever. Rate increases typically last three years, as long as you don't make another claim during this period.
"In most cases, traffic convictions and at-fault accidents are used as part of your driving record for three years," says Nancy Kincaid, spokeswoman for the California Department of Insurance. "That being said, in many states, including California, major convictions like driving under the influence can stay on your record for as long as 10 years, along with their corresponding premium charges."
Hartwig says that even if you’ve filed a claim and are looking at a higher premium for auto insurance, it's always a good idea to shop around for a less expensive policy.

4 Must-Have ATV Accessories

atv
All-terrain vehicles provide hours of off-road fun, and they also come in handy when there’s work to be done. With a few simple additions to your ATV, you can turn a bland (as bland as an ATV can get anyway) four-wheeler into a customized workhorse.

Snowplow

Photo courtesy of coopdog via Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0
Forget about being dependent upon anyone else for snow removal during the winter months; for roughly $500 (or less) you can make your ATV a snow-moving machine. Not only can you plow your driveway, you can do the neighbor’s – heck, the entire street – in less time than it takes to do yours by hand. In addition to winter season customization, you can add a disk plow in the spring for tilling soil in preparation for planting season.

Storage Bags

Photo courtesy of ejunk via Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0
Tote more gear and keep it better organized than with simple factory racks. Storage bags provide excellent protection and more room without giving up room; many simply attach to the back rack and wrap around the rear section of the seat.

Camera Gear

Photo courtesy of John Biehler via Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0
With better, smaller and less expensive technology invading the video-camera world, documenting your adventures with a Garmin Virb or GoPro camera is easy – there are even goggles that come with a small camera built in to capture footage from the driver’s point of view. Mounting options are limited only by your imagination – roll-bar, front rack and a versatile suction cup are just a couple of examples.

Loading and Storage

Photo courtesy of Diamond Back Truck Covers via Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0
ATVs are regulated by each state, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures, and the laws can vary greatly, so make sure to consult your local laws for proper usage guidelines. Some states forbid the use of off-road vehicles in certain areas, so getting your favorite ATV to the woods requires transport by other means. Ramps allow you to load your machine into the back of a pickup, while a trailer allows for quick and simple towing. A weatherproof cover will help protect your ATV from rain and sun damage if you lack a shop or garage to store it in.

It’s Tax Time! As W-2s Roll In, Protect Your Personal Information

Your W-2s and other tax documents contain sensitive personal information that identity thieves could use to file a fraudent tax return.
Your W-2s and other tax documents contain sensitive personal information that identity thieves could use to file a fraudent tax return.
Jan. 31 was the deadline for employers to send out W-2s, according to the Internal Revenue Service—and that means tax time is upon us. This time of year, many organizations send out important tax documents containing sensitive information, such as your Social Security number, and it’s vital to protect yourself against fraud and identity theft.
Read on to find out how you can safeguard your information and minimize the risk of becoming the next victim of identity thieves and other frauds.

Watch Your Mail

Since W-2s and other tax documents are sent out by snail mail, it’s not difficult for identity thieves to steal them and get their hands on your most sensitive financial and personal information.Identity Theft 911 reports that some thieves even follow postal workers, swipe important tax documents, copy the information and return the envelopes a few days later.
If you haven’t received your W-2 by Jan. 31, contact your employer(s). If your W-2 is still missing by Feb. 14, you should notify the IRS. The IRS will contact your employer after Feb. 14 to request the missing information.

Safeguard Hard Copies

Once you’ve received and gathered your documents for this year’s tax filing, it’s still important to keep W-2s, receipts and bank statements—or any other kind of hard-copy documents containing sensitive materials—away from people with sticky fingers. The Federal Trade Commission recommends that you file them away in a locked filing cabinet or, better yet, a safe.
If you’re en route to your accountant, don’t leave them on the seat when you leave the car to get a coffee… unless your German shepherd is your co-pilot! By removing the temptation, you reduce the chances of your documents being stolen.

Know the Warning Signs

If criminals have your Social Security number, the IRS warns they could file a tax return and claim a refund using your personal details. The IRS says the following red flags may indicate someone has filed a fraudulent tax return in your name.
  • IRS records state you’ve been paid by an employer you don’t know.
  • Two or more tax filings have been submitted in your name.
  • For a year you didn’t file a tax return, you have an outstanding balance or are notified of a collection action against you.
If you encounter any of the above, contact the IRS immediately in writing. Fill out and enclose the IRS Identity Theft Affidavit, Form 14039. The IRS will contact you and help you resolve the situation.
Becoming the victim of tax fraud or identity theft is a serious matter that can compromise your finances and credit status. With a little extra care and vigilance this time of year, you can protect the personal information in your tax documents.