Yesterday's topic of identity theft hit too close to home. My neighbor and close friend's accountant attempted to e-file her tax return, only to find that a return had already been filed with the IRS in mid-February using her social security number. Ironically, I had logged into the IRS website yesterday morning and saw its warning about identity theft. See "New Tax Scam Targets Seniors, Families, Church Members" on the www.irs.gov main page. The IRS provides additional information and security tips to prevent fraud in this "Taxpayer Guide to Identify Theft":  http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=251501,00.html;

My friend spoke at length with an IRS agent in Washington who told her that over two million fraudulent tax returns were filed last year ... and the majority of them came from South Florida (just like Medicare fraud).    CBS News provides additional information about this tax scam:  http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505263_162-57400602/tax-return-scammers-steal-ids-and-billions/.

Invasion of privacy is rampant and everyone needs to be vigilant in protecting personal data.  It alarms me that young people put so much personal information on social media websites.  Posting your daily routine and travel plans only make it easier for malicious people to take advantage of you.  Nothing should be posted that you do not want made public.  Minimize details that identify your whereabouts, and always keep your account numbers, user names, and passwords private.    

I admire actor George Clooney's thoughts about privacy:  “I don’t like to share my personal life… it wouldn’t be personal if I shared it.”  ♥