BBB Warns of Tax-Refund Fraud

Burnsville, MN – January 14, 2016 – With another tax season coming up quickly, Better Business Bureau of Minnesota and North Dakota ® (BBB) warns taxpayers about tax-related identity theft, which occurs when someone uses your stolen Social Security number (SSN) to file a fraudulent tax return and claim your refund. Though this type of fraud is tough to prevent against – beyond taking steps to safeguard your personal information – BBB offers some tips to help consumers recognize when it’s occurred and steps they can take to mitigate the situation from there.

According to CNBC, tax-refund fraud is expected to total $21 billion in 2016. This type of fraud often occurs without the victim knowing it, until they file their tax return and discover that a return has already been filed using their Social Security number. Another way people learn they’ve been victimized is when the IRS sends them a letter saying they have identified a suspicious return using their SSN.

BBB seeks to make people aware that this is a growing problem and one they need to be prepared for. Some ways to decrease your risk of becoming a victim of tax-related identity theft include: safeguarding your Social Security number and other sensitive personal information, and filing your tax return as promptly as possible. This year, the IRS has announced they will begin accepting tax returns on January 19. The filing deadline to submit 2015 tax returns is Monday, April 18, 2016, rather than the traditional April 15 date.

The IRS offers some additional identity protection tips for taxpayers:

• Always use security software with firewall and anti-virus protections. Make sure the security software is always turned on and will automatically update. Encrypt sensitive files such as tax records you store on your computer. Use strong passwords.
• Learn to recognize and avoid phishing emails, threatening calls and texts from thieves posing as legitimate organizations such as your bank, credit card provider or even the IRS. Do not click on links or download attachments from unknown or suspicious emails.
• Guard your personal data. Don’t routinely carry your Social Security card, and make sure your tax records are secure. Treat your personal information like you do your cash; don’t leave it lying around.

Be alert to possible tax-related identity theft if you are contacted by the IRS or your tax professional/provider about:

o    More than one tax return being filed using your SSN.

o    Owing additional tax; your refund being offset; or if you’ve had collection actions taken against you for a year you did not file a tax return.

o    IRS records indicate you received wages or other income from an employer for whom you did not work.

If your SSN has been compromised or you know – or suspect – that you are a victim of tax-related identity theft, the IRS recommends that you:

• Respond immediately to any IRS notice; call the number provided or, if instructed to do so, visit IDVerify.irs.gov.  
• Complete IRS Form 14039, Identity Theft Affidavit, if your e-filed return is rejected because of a duplicate filing under your SSN or if you are instructed to do so. Use a fillable form at IRS.gov, print, then attach the form to your return and mail according to instructions.
• Continue to pay your taxes and file your tax return, even if you must do so by paper.

Visit bbb.org or click here for BBB tips on how to find a qualified tax preparer.

Winter Load Increases will begin the North-Central Frost Zone

 Winter Load Increases will begin on unrestricted highways in the NORTH-CENTRAL FROST ZONE at 12:01 AM on Sunday, January 10, 2016. Winter Load Increases are already in effect for the NORTH FROST ZONE.

Vehicles will be allowed to operate up to 10 percent over the standard legal maximum loads on unrestricted highways during the Winter Load Increase period.  However, trucks must comply with current registration weight laws and not exceed registered gross weight tolerances.  Please check with local agencies (cities, counties and townships) prior to increasing any weights on their routes. The sign erected on the roadway governs the load limit in effect.  A Winter Weight Increase Permit is required to take advantage of the 10 percent weight increase on Interstate Highways only; a permit is not required for state trunk highways.

For questions about legal weight/size trucking, call: Minnesota Department of Public Safety - State Patrol - Commercial Vehicle Enforcement (651) 405-6196 (select Option 3, Option 3)

For questions about over legal weight/size "heavy haul" trucking, call:

Minnesota Department of Transportation, Freight and Commercial Vehicle Operations - Oversize/Weight Permits (651) 296-6000 or email:  ofcvopermits.dot@state.mn.us

Winter Load Increases starting and ending dates are based on how weather is affecting roadway strength.  These dates are established by monitoring roadway strength as weather conditions change.  Therefore, the ending date for Winter Load Increases is variable and drivers MUST check for updates throughout the year. Vehicle operators are required to check with the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) for the exact start and end dates.

All changes are made with a minimum three calendar-day notice.

For the most current information, please go to MnDOT’s automated 24-hour message center at (800) 723-6543 for the USA and Canada, or locally at (651) 366-5400 for the Minneapolis/St Paul area.  This information is also published on the MnDOT Seasonal Load Limits website at www.dot.state.mn.us/materials/

Individual income tax filing season opens January 19, 2016

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Revenue announced it will open state individual income tax filing season on January 19, 2016.  For the benefit and convenience of Minnesotans, this is the same day as the Internal Revenue Service.

The filing deadline to submit 2015 tax returns is Monday, April 18, 2016, rather than the traditional April 15 date. This is also the same day as the Internal Revenue Service.
As the filing season nears, Revenue Commissioner Cynthia Bauerly wants to remind taxpayers that filing electronically helps improve the accuracy of your return and choosing direct deposit is the safest and fastest way to receive your refund.

“Making sure the right refund amount goes to the right person is our top priority,” said Bauerly. “Minnesotans can help by using electronic filing and direct deposit, which is the most secure and effective way to get your refund.”

Electronic Filing and Direct Deposit
Choosing electronic filing and direct deposit is the most secure way to get your refund. Last year, over 2 million Minnesota taxpayers used electronic software to file their taxes.

Direct deposit is an easy and convenient way to get your refund. You can put your banking information on your tax return and get your refund deposited into your bank account and not have to worry about receiving your refund check in the mail. Direct deposit is available to you whether you file your return electronically or by mail. 

Fraud Prevention
The department takes protecting your personal information and your tax refund very seriously. We work to combat identify theft-related tax fraud by taking the time necessary to review and verify the information on all tax returns to make sure the right refund goes to the right person.

Track Your Refund
This tax season you will be able to track where your refund is in the process by using our improved Where’s My Refund? system.

Our improved system will help you learn where your refund is in the process. You will be able to track which of the four stages your refund is in and whether you need to take any action to allow us to complete the processing of your refund. You will see the date your refund was issued when it is finished processing.

Free Tax Help

You may qualify for free tax preparation help from IRS-certified volunteers at locations across Minnesota for your federal and state income tax returns. Qualified taxpayers are age 60 or older, disabled, speak limited or no English, or have income less than $54,000 per year.

Most free tax preparation sites are open Feb. 1 - April 15. Visit www.revenue.state.mn.us  to find free tax preparation sites near you. 

Number of families protected from radon improves

The number of Minnesota families taking action to reduce levels of cancer-causing radon gas in their homes has more than doubled in the two years since a new state law took effect in 2014. Health officials say the increase means fewer families will experience lung cancer and other negative health impacts of radon exposure in the years ahead.

The law that took effect Jan. 1, 2014, requires that more detailed information be provided to buyers about radon during Minnesota home sales. According to data collected by the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH), most of the additional radon mitigation work in homes since enactment of the law occurred as part of real estate transactions. There were 3,392 homes mitigated for radon during the first nine months of 2015. For the same period in 2014, 2,389 homes were mitigated. In comparison, 1,491 homes had radon mitigation work in 2013 and 1,067 homes had the mitigation work in 2012.

Radon is an odorless, colorless radioactive gas that occurs naturally in Minnesota soils. It can enter into homes through cracks or openings in walls or foundations. The only way for residents to know if their home has high levels of radon is to test.

Radon is the leading environmental cause of cancer deaths in the United States and the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. More than 21,000 lung cancer deaths are attributed to radon each year in the U.S. Fortunately, the risk can be greatly reduced by testing homes and fixing radon problems. Health officials say about two in five Minnesota homes have dangerous levels of radon gas, and every home should be tested.

The 2014 Minnesota Radon Awareness Act requires sellers to inform home buyers whether their home has been tested for radon and, if so, what the levels are and whether the home has been mitigated for radon. In addition, sellers must provide a warning statement and a two-page publication to the buyer. Radon tests can be incorporated into a home inspection. The law does not require radon testing or mitigation; only disclosure of whether testing or mitigation of the home has been done.

 “This law improves the health and safety of Minnesotans by informing home buyers about the harmful effects of radon at the point of sale,” said Dan Tranter, MDH indoor air program supervisor. “This allows potential buyers to be educated on radon and to request a radon test for a property similar to the way home inspections are arranged.”

January is National Radon Action Month and Gov. Mark Dayton has proclaimed Radon Action Month in Minnesota. During January, MDH is sponsoring radio and internet ads across Minnesota to encourage people to test their homes. In addition, MDH has partnered with local public health departments to make test kits available to local residents at low or no cost.

Testing is easy, inexpensive and only takes three to five days. Test kits are available at city and county health departments, many hardware stores, or directly from radon testing laboratories. A list of participating health agencies and test kit vendors can be found on the MDH website at Radon in Minnesota Homes.

Tests should be done in the lowest level of the home that is frequently occupied. If your home’s level is at or above 4 piC/L (picoCuries per Liter) you should consider verification testing and having a radon mitigation system installed. You can find MDH’s list of certified radon mitigation contractors at Radon Contractors/Mitigation Service Providers.

For more information on radon testing and mitigation, visit Radon in Minnesota Homes or call the Minnesota Department of Health Indoor Air Unit at 651-201-4601 or 1-800-798-9050. To see how radon has affected the lives of cancer patients and their families visit CanSAR - Cancer Survivors Against Radon.

BBB New Year’s Resolutions for Consumers

Burnsville, Minnesota – January 5, 2016 –With the start of a New Year comes the chance to start again; the chance to turn the page and begin anew. There’s no better time to resolve to take steps that will protect your personal and financial information. Better Business Bureau of Minnesota and North Dakota ® (BBB) offer some simple tips to help you be more prepared in 2016 – for anything that might come your way.

“There’s a lot of talk about fresh starts when one year ends and another begins,” said Dana Badgerow, president and CEO of BBB of Minnesota and North Dakota. “But there’s truth to it. Taking those first steps to achieve a goal gets you moving towards your desired destination.”

Simply by implementing these ten resolutions, consumers can make huge strides towards securing their finances and identity:

1.   Check your credit report for free at AnnualCreditReport.com. Review it closely for errors and report any inconsistencies you see. Checking your credit report helps you catch signs of identity theft early.

2.   Sign up for the Do Not Call Registry by visiting donotcall.gov/, or by calling 1-888-382-1222. This should reduce the number of telemarketing calls you receive at home. You can also register your cellphone number on this list. 

3.   If you’re looking to cut down on the amount of unsolicited offers you receive through the mail, visit dmachoice.org/.

4.   Dispose of older bank and credit card statements, expired credit cards and unwanted credit card solicitations securely by shredding them with a cross-cut paper shredder.

5.   When using public Wi-Fi connections, don’t make any purchases or share any sensitive personal information. Public means public, and fraudsters are known to frequent Wi-Fi hotspots. Always verify the network before accessing it.

6.   If you receive an offer or solicitation,research the company or charity for free with Better Business Bureau at bbb.org or 800-646-6222.

7.   Never respond to phone calls or emails asking to “verify” your personal information. Your bank, your credit card provider, the IRS – none of these organizations will call or email asking for your confidential information. They already have it on file.

8.   Secure or lock sensitive personal documents around your home, especially if you have roommates, employ outside help or are having work performed in your home.

9.   Don’t store credit card numbers or other financial information on your smartphone or tablet. Add a passcode lock (or security password) on your smartphone or tablet.

10.                Change your email and social media passwords and ‘beef up’ your security by creating hard to crack passwords. Choose passwords that are easy for you to remember but difficult for others to guess. Incorporate a combination of numbers, capital letters and symbols. Avoid using the same password for all of your accounts, and never share your passwords with anyone else.

Though it’s nearly impossible to protect yourself completely from fraud and schemes, consumers who take these steps will be doing a lot to keep themselves safe and secure in the coming year.