Barry G. Fowler, EA, leading expert in tax resolution issues and CEO of Taxation Solutions encourages taxpayers to find out right away if they were affected in the massive Equifax breach and suggests planning to file taxes as quickly as possible in 2018.

Houston, TX – November 1, 2017 – Barry G. Fowler, CEO of Taxation Solutions, posted a new article on his website entitled “How To Find Out If You Were Affected In The Equifax Breach.” With so many American taxpayers affected in the Equifax breach Mr. Fowler offers his readers helpful information and a sure-fire solution.

Fowler states, “The recent Equifax breach affects over 143 million American taxpayers.” He continues adding, “As you might imagine, this could wreak havoc for those affected and you may not even know you’ve been affected until you go to file your taxes next year.”

“The data breach gave hackers access to the Social Security numbers, birth dates, addresses, driver’s license numbers and credit card numbers of people around the world, and as mentioned above 143 million American taxpayers,” writes Fowler. He elaborates, “Criminals can use all of that date to steal identities, so there are sure to be consequences in the short term and long term. One of those long-term effects could be that a criminal will use your personal information to file a bogus tax return in 2018.”

According to Fowler, “The first question to ask is, how do you find out if you and your family members have been affected.” He provides the answer saying, “Go to the Equifax website at www.equifaxsecurity2017.com to determine if you or anyone in your family has been affected. In addition, women who have recently married need to check their maiden name.”

Fowler also reveals that, “Equifax is offering a one-year free credit monitoring service that is available through November 21st. Once you’ve determined whether or not you have been affected in the breach, click on “Enroll” to complete the process for free credit monitoring. Be sure to complete this process on or before Nov. 21.”

As Fowler emphasizes, “One of the most important things you can do to prevent criminals from making use of your information to file a bogus tax return is to file your tax returns as early as possible. Whoever gets the returns to the IRS first is the one that wins in this event. If a criminal tries to file with your information after you’ve filed, they will be found out. If you are second, your life will become disastrous as you try to unravel the fraud.”

The entire article can be read at http://www.taxationsolutions.net/how-to-find-out-if-you-were-affected-in-the-equifax-breach/

About Barry G. Fowler, EA

Barry G. Fowler founded Taxation Solutions out of a genuine concern for the IRS issues his clients face, many of whom are self-employed, contract employees, or entrepreneurs. For his contributions to his profession and expertise in tax resolution and financial planning, Fowler has been featured as one of America’s Trendsetters on CBS and Yahoo, and as a Premier Expert in Inc. Magazine. He has been instrumental in helping hundreds of people resolve complex tax issues with the IRS.

Fowler is licensed to represent taxpayers before the Internal Revenue Service, and is a longstanding member of several tax industry professional organizations: NAEA, NATP, TSEA, ASTP