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Shredded paper sits in a garbage can. When you dispose of tax-related documents, like W-2's or 1099's, make sure they aren't readable first. (Photo illustration/Kelly Redinger/Design Pics/Newscom)
3. Lock up or destroy paper documents
Dumpster-diving identity thieves aren't necessarily in your backyard sifting through your garbage can for your W-2. A thief could be worker at the recycling plant or the janitor at your office, Terry says. So, destroy your documents or keep them locked up in a safe.
Ms. Wallace says it’s a good idea to shred documents, as long as it doesn’t give people a false sense of security.
“Protecting physical documents, paper documents is important, but so is electronic protection,” Wallace says.
And if you’re filing a paper return?
“Walk it yourself to the post office, get it certified mail, and make sure that you hand it to the clerk, Terry says.
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