Scammers Targeting Job Seekers on Craigslist

Craigslist has become a popular tool for finding available jobs in your area. Unfortunately, not all of the jobs posted are legitimate. My Fox 8 recently posted an article concerning two separate individuals who found enticing job offers that turned out to be scams. In both cases, the “employer” sent the job applicants cashier’s checks for substantial amounts of money and asked them to deposit these checks into their personal accounts and buy money cards. If these applicants were to have followed the scammer’s instructions, the scammers would have received the money. Also, the job applicants would now have cashed a phony check and could be held responsible. If you see any suspicious job offers on Craigslist or any other website, it is best to not have any contact with the scammers at all. Experts recommend not giving out any personal information until you have confirmed that the posting is legitimate and have actually had contact with the company/person posting the ad. For the full article from My Fox 8, click here.

518 Arbor Hill Rd.

 Kernersville, NC 27284

 Ph: 336-996-3338

 www.cpamcdaniel.com

 

IRS App Shows Income Tax Refund Status

IRS2Go 4.0 is a mobile application from the Internal Revenue Service that was released earlier this month. This application is designed to give taxpayers access to tax information, most notably the ability to check the status of your income tax return refund. The IRS states that IRS2Go is fully encrypted so that personal information stays safe and secure. To check the status on your refund, simply enter your Social Security Number, your filing status and the anticipated amount of your refund, and IRS2Go will show the current status of your refund. Users can check the status of their e-filed return refund after 24 hours, and the refund for their paper return after four weeks.

518 Arbor Hill Rd.

 Kernersville, NC 27284

 Ph: 336-996-3338

 www.cpamcdaniel.com

 

Syncing Files? Think before you Sync!

 Syncing files from a computer or mobile device to the cloud is a very common practice in today’s business world. Business professionals need to be able to work from anywhere on their own devices. There are many benefits to syncing files; being able to access and share files through the Cloud  is extremely convenient. But there are security issues related to syncing that may not come to mind when companies allow employees to sync business files to their own personal devices. Once files are synced, there is no way to un-sync them, and centralized control is lost once multiple people have access to the same files. Listed below are syncing strategies provided by Accounting Today that will minimize security issues with syncing data and files:

·         Encrypt folders on local computers: If employees are allowed access to sync firm files to personal mobile devices, all files should be encrypted to minimize access should the employee’s devices be lost or stolen.

·         Create strong passwords: Encrypting files does no good if the passwords are weak. Use long passwords that include both letters and numbers.

·         Sync only as needed: Most employees do not need access to all company files, so only allow syncing for files that are necessary and needed to complete work.

·         Use “Remote Wipe”: This feature allows all synchronized files to be removed from a computer in the event of loss or theft.

·         Go all-Cloud: The only fool-proof strategy to protect synchronized files is not sync files at all. Advanced cloud file management applications provide access to files and data at any time on any device. Referring to the cloud eliminates the need for syncing files to personal devices, and therefore cuts down the risk of files being compromised.

518 Arbor Hill Rd.

 Kernersville, NC 27284

 Ph: 336-996-3338

 www.cpamcdaniel.com

 

How to Avoid the Utility Bill Scams

Utility companies are warning customers of a new utility bill scam that is occurring across the nation, in which scammers try to convince customers that they are eligible for an energy credit offered by President Obama. These scammers impersonate utility company employees and call customers saying that to apply for the energy credit, certain personal information must be given. These scams sound easy to avoid, but the calls can sound legitimate as the impersonators will have the utility company name and some personal information about the customer. The best piece of advice utility companies are giving out is to not give out personal information that the utility company should already have. If you are suspicious that a scammer might be contacting you, hang up on the call and call your utility company right back. They will be able to tell you whether or not they had previously contacted you. To read more about this scam, click the link here.

518 Arbor Hill Rd.

 Kernersville, NC 27284

 Ph: 336-996-3338

 www.cpamcdaniel.com

 

Electronic Signatures…the New Normal?

Business transactions are not limited to sitting at a desk anymore. Mobile technology has increased the speed at which we handle almost every business matter. The efficiency of our high-tech world is evident in that signatures no longer require pen and paper. Electronic signatures have become the new normal for signing documents that need to be returned quickly. The U.S. Federal ESIGN Act defines an electronic signature as an “electronic sound, symbol, or process, attached to or logically associated with a contract or other record and executed or adopted by a person with the intent to sign the record.” This new technology is secure, easy to use, and efficient for all parties involved in the matter. In order to keep your transactions secure and compliant, follow these tips below (for full compliance information, visit the U.S. Federal ESIGN Act website):

·         Online documents should be presented in the same matter that they would be presented on paper. Documents should be in the correct order when sent for signing.

·         All documents and data that are relevant to the transaction should be securely captured and stored.

·         A textual or graphic statement should be added to the signed record, reflecting the fact that the record was signed with an electronic signature.

·         Electronic evidence should be easily retrievable and presentable in an easy-to-view manner.

For more information about electronic signatures, view the U.S. ESIGN Act here. If you have any questions, contact us!

518 Arbor Hill Rd.

 Kernersville, NC 27284

 Ph: 336-996-3338

 www.cpamcdaniel.com