Stuff Parents Need

Easing the chaos in the nest, one find at a time.

How to Keep Your Personal Information Secure While Filing Taxes Online

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This weekend Tim and I will be filing taxes online. Have you filed yours, yet? You still have a bit of time, but I think the sooner you can rip that band-aid off, the sooner you can start to feel a little bit better.

Proud to be an American

On the one hand, I don’t mind paying my taxes at all. I am happy to make my contribution to the greater good in this country. I’m grateful for reliable infrastructure in my home, on my street, in my city, and all over this country. Those things cost money! I use those things, so I should help pay for those things.

On the other hand, I feel like this about paying taxes:

not impressed about filing taxes online

This is largely because the income I contribute to my family is from freelance work, and when I get paid, the taxes haven’t been taken out. I have to pay them at tax time. I wish I could tell you that I was extremely disciplined and squirreled away every cent I would need to pay later. But I haven’t. I think I have about half of what I need saved up. The other half is going to come straight out of savings. I hardly even remember what it is like to get a refund check. I’m one of the folks who owes quite a bit this time of year. Even though I am willing to pay what I owe, it puts me in grouchy mood, to say the least!

Death and Taxes…Both Certain, Both Annoying

Whether you anticipate getting a refund or writing a check this year, filing taxes is still a pain in the rear. Even the EZ file for those of you with very uncomplicated tax prep needs still requires you to take a little bit of time and submit all of your information. For those of us who itemize, have small businesses, or just a lot of different assets or deductions to claim, filing can take hours and hours.

So just imagine how much insult would be added to the injury if your identity was stolen as a result of filing your taxes online. Wouldn’t that be INFURIATING??!!

It’s happening. A LOT. Just think about all the sensitive information you have to provide in order to file your taxes. I’m not saying that filing online is a bad idea. Not at all! That’s how I’ve filed for the last 8 or 9 years and it is how I’ll be filing this year. BUT…you do need to take some precautions!

filing taxes online securely

How to Prevent Identity Theft While Filing Taxes Online

1. Go with a reputable company. Make sure you are using a reputable tax preparation service. I happen to use Turbo Tax. Many others use H&R Block. And there are other reputable options out there, as well. Please don’t use something you’ve never heard of or that you can’t find strong recommendations for online. You can also use the IRS website for filing. Make absolutely sure that you are on the official IRS website and not some other URL trying to make you think it is the right spot.

2. Software check. Ensure that your virus protection software is updated and turned on. Even the best anti-virus system does you absolutely no good if it isn’t running!

3. File only from a secure network. Do not file from a public setting. You can never be certain about the security level of the network other than one you have set up. Remember, you are sending out your social security number, so you need to be EXTRA careful about it.

4. Be wary of tax-related emails. Do not respond to unsolicited emails from the IRS. The IRS NEVER EVER initiates contact with taxpayers via email. So if you get an “IRS” email informing you of great new rebate offers, or even of missing information, DO NOT respond to it. It is a scam.

5. Enroll in a identity theft protection service such as LifeLock. I receive monthly updates from this company, as well as alerts if anything suspicious is happening with my accounts. LifeLock can alert you very quickly to any problems that may have occurred. This is an extra measure of peace of mind, not just during tax prep time, but all year long.

Is anyone else out there going to be writing a check this year for taxes? Anyone else out there NOT IMPRESSED by having to do it? Tell me I’m not alone! Or if you are getting a refund, go ahead and brag…I’ll celebrate with you since I can’t celebrate the same outcome for myself! Are you filing taxes online or taking a different route?


I am a compensated ambassador for LifeLock.  All thoughts and opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

3 Ways to Protect Your Identity During a Move

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In the 10 1/2 years that we’ve been married, Tim and I have lived in 8 different homes spanning 5 different cities in 3 different states.

Every time we move, we swear we’ll never do it again. But obviously we are kidding ourselves!

moving

I’m not going to share with you my best tips for packing up your home, for finding a great moving service, or for discovering a diamond in the rough when looking for homes to purchase or rent, though I have experience with all of those endeavors. Today I want to talk about one thing you might not be considering as you plan a move:

protecting your identity as you change addresses.

I’ve got LOADS of experience with getting our addresses changed, as well as with dealing with all the mail that previous residents get forwarded to us because they didn’t properly change their addresses. I want to share my top 3 tips for keeping your private information private as you move.

1. Fill out change of address forms with the post office BEFORE you move! Many people do this after they are “settled” at their new locations. That is a fantastic way to lose a bunch of your mail and leave it exposed for whoever happens to live in your home after you (or for passersby who are looking for some mail to steal….and I swear that happens as I have had mail stolen from my box before!). You can schedule the date you want your forwarding service to take effect, so it doesn’t have to be done AFTER you have moved, I promise!

2. Do not assume that the post office will let everyone who sends you mail know that you have moved. They will not!!!! The only way places that send you mail will learn is if the post office returns some of the mail to the sender after your forwarding service has expired. They don’t always do that, and even if they do, you will then be dealing with delays. For example, if your credit card bill is mailed to you and then returned back to the sender without your new address listed, the credit card company won’t know how to contact you and before you know it, your bill is late. It is your responsibility to notify all of your contacts (everyone from the utility companies where you may have outstanding bills from the old address to your favorite magazines) of your new address. It is CRITICALLY important that you notify any of your creditors (banks, credit card companies, etc.). Just imagine if your bank sent your new credit or debit card to your old address and it got into the wrong hands (and by the way, any hands that aren’t yours are the wrong hands!).

3. Try to get to know the new residents, if possible. I have met the people who currently live in the house where we last lived, and good thing, because UPS and FedEx have dropped off several packages to them since we left. Those would have been lost forever if they didn’t know how to contact me. You can always send a note through the mail to the new residents simply giving your forwarding address and your email address or your phone number in case they want to get in touch with you about any mail that has arrived.

LifeLock is continuing their wonderful LifeLock for Life sweepstakes in 2013, and for January and February, the focus is on moving into a new home. I just went through all the questions and seasoned as I am at moving, I still learned a few helpful tips. AND…I’m entered to win a $1,000 Visa gift card! 🙂 Take a second to enter for yourself, too! There will also be 9 winners who will receive a year membership to LifeLock!

What about you? What are steps you take to make sure your personal information isn’t left at your old address when you move?

I am a compensated ambassador for LifeLock.  All thoughts and opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

Time to Win a LifeLock Membership!!

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Just in time for Christmas, lovely readers, I have a very special giveaway for you!

I’ve been singing the praises of LifeLock (the most amazing identity theft protection service there is, in my opinion!) since September and have been DYING to give you all a chance to win a membership.

Well what do you know? It’s a Christmas miracle!!! And it’s a great way to start of the new year right!

Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need winner will receive a LifeLock membership!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Be sure to enter my other current giveaways, found on the sidebar of my page.

I am a compensated ambassador for LifeLock.  All thoughts and opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

LifeLock Membership Giveaway (Actually, SEVENTEEN Giveaways!!!)

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Last month I confessed to you that I have been a victim of identity theft 5 times in the last 8 years (I feel sick to my stomach just writing that down!). LifeLock is an unbelievably amazing identity theft protection service that is helping me keep my private information on lock down so that I don’t add any more instances to my record.

I am absolutely delighted with the service that I am being provided as a LifeLock member, and I’m also getting a very good education on the things I need to do differently to keep my identity out of the hands of anyone who would abuse it.

Knowing how rampant the problem of identity theft is, I want you, my readers, to have the same peace of mind that I now have. I want you to become LifeLock members! And right now LifeLock is working hard to get the word out about their amazing services. They currently have 17 different giveaways for LifeLock membership services happening on different blogs. That’s 17 chances that you have to win some peace of mind, and this is happening at such a great time, because if you are like me, you are probably going to be getting out your credit card a bit more often over the next 3 months as all the holidays approach!

So here’s the list of all the places where you can enter to win a LifeLock membership, worth $110!!! Good luck, everyone! If you win one, let me know!!!

http://crunchybeachmama.com/2012/09/how-lifelock-can-protect-you-1-year-subscription-giveaway/

http://www.themommy-files.com/2012/09/protect-your-identity-and-future-with-lifelock-giveaway/

http://www.kellystilwell.com/2012/09/lifelock-review-giveawayenter-to-win.html

http://kiddiescornerdeals.com/2012/09/lifelock-identity-theft-prevention-services/

http://southerngirlramblings.com/lifelock-identity-protection-review-giveaway/

http://www.thanksmailcarrier.com/2012/10/lifelock-identity-theft-prevention-services-one-year-membership-giveaway.html

http://ayearwithmomanddad.com/2012/10/protect-your-identity-with-lifelock-giveaway/

http://t.co/Mrr058l8

http://makingitallwork.com/reviews-2/holiday-shopping-with-lifelock-priceless-giveaway/

http://www.annagainandagainreviews.com/2012/10/protect-your-identity-with-lifelock.html

http://www.contest-corner.com/lifelock/

http://mom2zqb.com/2012/lifelock-review-and-giveaway/

http://www.theartofrandomwillynillyness.com/2012/10/lifelock-helps-you-protect-your.html

http://www.livingsmartgirl.com/2012/10/protect-your-identity-with-lifelock/

http://mamabee.net/identity-theft-protection-with-lifelock-membership-giveaway/

http://www.miscfinds4u.com/blog/2012/10/07/lifelock-reviews/

http://www.crazyaboutmybaybah.com/protect-identity-theft-lifelock-giveaway/

 

 

I am a compensated ambassador for this brand.  All thoughts and opinions expressed here are strictly my own. 

LifeLock Ambassador and a Chance to Win BIG ($1,000)!

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Identify theft: I’m guessing this does not rank very high on the list of things you enjoy contemplating. If you are lucky enough to have not (yet) been a victim, then this may not seem like anything you need to spend your time worrying about. Your accounts seem secure with all their promised encryption. You aren’t in the habit of losing your purse or wallet. So what’s the worry?

The threat is so real, you guys. SO. REAL.

Hello, my name is Tiffany, and in the last 8 years I have been the victim of identify theft 5 DIFFERENT TIMES. FIVE!!!!!!

I’m delighted to be a new brand ambassador for LifeLock, a company that works RELENTLESSLY to help help provide identity theft protection to its members. You may be chuckling to yourself and thinking that I’m quite possibly the world’s worst choice for a partnership with LifeLock. But I think the fact that I seem to be a magnet for identity theft makes me the perfect ambassador. Every time I become a victim, I pick up a new practice that is supposed to greatly help reduce the chance that I’ll become a victim again. And every time, it proves to be insufficient.

I clearly need more vigilant and comprehensive protection. And if I need it, I’m guessing millions of other people just like me need it, too. I am really looking forward to sharing my experience as a LifeLock Ultimate member with you. And I’m REALLY looking forward to not having to cancel my credit card and fill out a bunch of paperwork about how I didn’t spend $600 at a Payless in Kansas (yeah, that happened…).

But for now, I want to tell you about a chance that you all have to win BIG with LifeLock!

Introducing the LifeLock for Life Sweepstakes on Facebook! This super fun sweepstakes just started on Tuesday, and it is going to run throughout 2013 so that you have MANY chances to win cool prizes. Every week you can go to the LifeLock Facebook page and answer 10 multiple choice questions that are all about helping to protect your identity (so you can learn something while you try to win!). Prizes are awarded weekly as well as monthly. The specific life events that LifeLock will focus its questions on will change every month. For September, it’s all about heading back to school!

And the prizes….they are AWESOME! This month LifeLock is giving away 4 Ultimate Memberships (ARV $275 each!) and one $1,000 Visa gift card! EEEEE!!!! That would cover Christmas at my house!

So head on over and “like” LifeLock on Facebook, visit the LifeLock for Life tab, and enter to win! I just played, and I learned a lot of things I didn’t know in just a few minutes!

 Disclosure: I am a compensated ambassador for this brand. All opinions (and unfortunately, all instances of identity theft) are my own.