Clients at risk
for identity theft
Clients of Kingston Tax Service were alerted to protect themselves from identity theft after computers were stolen from the business in a burglary that took place sometime before 8:30 a.m. on Aug. 12.
The computers contained personal information, which can be used by identity thieves, according to a letter sent to clients of Kingston Tax Service within a week after the burglary. Kingston Tax Service is located in the Bradley Center off Highway 104 in downtown Kingston.
Owner Tim Winsor wrote the letter the day the robbery report was filed, and urged clients to put fraud alerts on their credit cards immediately.
Although the information was password protected, Winsor warned passwords aren’t foolproof. He advised clients to call their banks, credit card companies, the Social Security Administration and the three major credit bureaus, TransUnion, Equifax and Experian.
According to reports from the Kitsap County Sheriff’s Department, Winsor believes he saw his computer for sale on Craigslist.com Aug. 14, two days after the burglary. The computer was listed as being without its hard drive. He couldn’t positively identify the computer because photos of the computer’s serial number were blurred, the report stated.
Winslow advised his clients in the letter: “Be prepared to make a call for each member of your family who was reported on any income tax return in the last eight years. … I urge you for your own protection to make the phone calls to the agencies and bureaus above RIGHT NOW.”
Kitsap County Sheriff spokesman Scott Wilson said in his experience working with law enforcement, iat present.
“Right now we are focusing on replacing our computer system,” the message states.
Because of the burglary, the message also states that some filing deadlines were missed.
According to a report filed by sheriff’s deputies, three computer tower hard drives, two flat-screen monitors and a silver Hewlett Packard laptop were stolen along with an autographed George Brett baseball from Winsor’s rear office.
The building is currently in the middle of a remodel. Thieves entered the building after breaking a pane of glass next to the door knob. Multiple footprints were seen outside the door and it appeared someone tried kicking the door in before breaking the glass, according to the report.
Clients of Kingston Tax Services are asked to call the following credit bureau fraud departments for each family member reported on any income tax return in the last eight years: TransUnion (800) 680-7289, Equifax (800) 525-6285, Experian (888) 397-3742, Social Security Administration (800) 772-1213 and individuals banks and credit card companies.
