isn’t Just For Tax Time (NAPSA)—Most Americans survey their finances from a high level only once a year. Tax time forces people to think about how to best organize their financial lives. It should also remind you to take extra care in protecting yourself against fraud and identity theft—something you should think about year-round. During andafter tax time, even with the prevalence of online filing, reams of vital information are easily harvested from workplace desks and mailboxes. The nonprofit Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC) recommendsthat you take the following steps to protect yourself: Keep paperwork with personal information in a safe, locked location. Put papers you no longer need through a crosscut shredder. Make sure to have updated firewall, anti-virus and spyware software to protect your computer from invasion. Be sure to retrieve your mail every day. Don’t leave financial documents in an outgoing mailbox at work. Even the most organized consumer can benefit from identity theft protection and restoration sevices provided by firms like EZShield. You want to prevent, detect and restore when you have trouble with your identity. All three are important. measures. Take appropriate
