It’s tax time again, and that means it’s the right time to invest in a Fellowes shredder for your business. Why is it so important to shred documents during tax time? The answer lies in a few unpleasant statistics.

Identity Theft costs businesses an estimated $50 billion annually. Additionally, Identity Theft affects millions of Americans each year - every 3 seconds there is a new victim. Also, dumpster diving for paper documents, certain types of electronic devices, and a lack of formal security policies within businesses present criminals with the right opportunity to steal your information.

Use the Checklist Below to Reduce Your Risk Factor this Tax Season:

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According to MSN news “High fraud rates continue to plague electronic commerce Web sites, with criminals expected to steal $2.6 billion from online merchants this year, according to a new survey.” Despite the fact that consumers and merchants are taking every effort to avoid getting hit with fraud, a survey conducted by Webroot, a Colorado company that sells consumer security software, concluded 1 out 7 online shoppers have been a victim of fraud. Many companies are now accidentally rejecting legitimate orders due to the increasing fraud attempts.

Fraud expert, Ori Eisen, Founder and CIO of the 41st Parameter shares the latest trends on the more complex fraud scams.

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Uni-ball 207 is teaming up with Frank W.Abagnale, one of the most respected experts on identity theft and the person whose life is chronicled in the blockbuster movie “Catch Me If You Can,” to help individuals protect themselves from a common form of check fraud.

Check washing is a process where checks are stolen from the mail or by other means and the ink is erased using common household products. The thieves will then rewrite the check payable to themselves, in the amount of their choosing.

Many uni-bal gel pens use ink that contain color pigments, which are absorbed in to a checks paper fibers. When an individual tries to “wash” the information written on the check, the ink is in effect trapped.

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We don’t like to think about it, but let’s face it when it comes to security issues, we’re better off taking proactive steps to ensure we’re safe than face the consequences. While we often take a stand when we’re securing our home, we tend to be more lax when it comes to securing our workplace.

Maybe that is because we assume it is someone else’s responsibility. The fact is, security is everyone’s responsibility and the steps you take now can keep you and everyone you work with safer.

Here are some basis tips to get you started. They will not only make your workplace more secure, but help prevent theft as well.

• Challenge visitors or individuals walking through your office. Try to determine who they are visiting by asking if they need assistance.
• Do not let anyone into the building with your access keys or card as you enter after regular business hours.
• If you find a building entry door propped open after normal hours, close it.
• During the winter months when it gets darker earlier in the day, consider using a “buddy” system when you leave the building at night.
• Take your keys out of your pocket or purse before leaving the building. Ladies, don’t try to find your keys in your purse once you reach your car.
• Keep valuables in your car hidden and doors locked.
• Never leave your reception area unattended or entrance doors propped open.
• Always keep valuables out of sight, including purses, cash and stamps. Lock them in a desk drawer or file cabinet if possible.
• Place small pocket calculators or recorders in desk drawers when not in use.
• Do not allow unknown or unexpected service or repair personnel free access to your office space.

Beware! The following are some common pretenses used by thieves to gain entrance into offices or to distract you:

• A thief may engage you in conversation while mentally making a survey of your office and return later.
• A thief may call and fabricate a reason for you to leave the office so that an accomplice may enter.
• Be aware of solicitors. Even though some of these people are legitimate, others are only “casing” the area for a potential future burglary.

It bears repeating: Security is everyone’s responsibility. Take these proactive, preventive security measures to ensure the safety of your office and property.

As always, if you notice any suspicious activity, call 9-1-1 immediately.

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