As technology becomes a bigger part of our lives, the risk of identity theft has increased. Gone are the days where identity thieves were only on the prowl for names, addresses, birthdates, and social security numbers of their victims. Because so many companies, financial institutions and other agencies require heightened security measures for access to sensitive information, identity theft now encompasses a larger aspect of information.

Identity thieves now have access to their victim’s credit report, financial documents, and personal history. This can include your previous tax information, which allows thieves to file a federal or state tax return in your name, and because they have previous years’ information, they can make it look legit.

At tax time, and really any time throughout the year, keep yourself safe by protecting your sensitive information. By keeping your personal and financial information secure, you’ll lower your risk of identity theft, both in terms of taxes and on a larger scale.

Use the following tips to keep your information safe and lower your risk:

• Don’t share your personal information on any social media site.
• Use firewalls, anti-virus software, and spam filters on your computer. Ensure your security updates are installed as they are released to keep your computer safe.
• Be sure to use the best password possible, making sure it is strong and hard to decipher on websites that contain your sensitive information.
• Don’t distribute your social security number unless you absolutely must.
• Never carry your SSN card or any other documentation with you.
• Be sure to monitor your credit report for updates, at least annually.
• Always check your earnings statement from the Social Security Administration.
• Don’t give out personal information over the phone, internet, or mail unless you have made first contact and you are sure of the person to whom you are speaking with.
• Always be extra careful of the information you view when using public computer or open Wi-Fi connections.