Survey: Tax Filers Unaware Of Risk From Digital Photocopiers

As Americans do their taxes, a majority are unaware that they may be putting personal and financial information required on tax returns in jeopardy.

According to a recent survey by Sharp Electronics Corp., half of all Americans are unaware of the danger of using insecure public copiers and printers, leaving themselves at risk for data theft if a copier is not equipped with data security measures. The survey, conducted by Roper on behalf of Sharp in February, polled 1,004 adults regarding their perceptions of digital copier security.

Another survey item of note indicated that 60 percent of Americans don’t know about the ability of a digital photocopier to store a document image on the hard drive, which could be later retrieved by a hacker.

“Tax season is here and many Americans appear not to be aware of the risk they take when making copies in public or at their office,” said Ed McLaughlin, president, Sharp Imaging and Information Company of America. “Secure copiers can scramble data after every image is copied. We take pride in offering one of the most comprehensive approaches to MFP security across the widest range of products, and the more we educate consumers and businesses to the risks, the more likely they will be to protect themselves against data theft.”

Personal and financial information is at risk when highly confidential forms containing social security numbers, Employer Identification Numbers, personal finance and even sensitive health information are duplicated on a copier that is not equipped with appropriate data security measures.

Images of the documents can remain on the unit’s hard drive indefinitely. This practice puts personal financial information at risk of theft by anyone with access to the copier’s hard drive, or anyone with basic hacking abilities. When leased copiers are replaced and re-sold, they are an easy target for hackers. Additionally, in many businesses, a security breach can also occur via network connections, since MFP’s are often linked to the network.

According to Paul DeMatteis, senior adviser on corporate security programs, Office of Continuing and Professional Studies at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, information can be retrieved after equipment is traded in or discarded.

“Companies purchasing secondhand equipment have reported finding considerable amounts of confidential data on their new machines,” he said. “The same information can be obtained from your local network or the Internet if the unit sits on a network and is not appropriately protected.”

The Sharp survey showed that a large majority of Americans feel their tax professional should secure their personal tax information when it is copied or printed. Nearly all respondents -- nine in 10 Americans -- felt their tax preparer should be required to protect their personal information. And three in four Americans who have their taxes prepared by a professional feel their tax preparer’s copier or printer should be secure.

49 percent believe digital copiers and printers are secure.

Nearly three in ten (28 percent) Americans have made photocopies of their personal, financial or health information in their office or a public place.

60 percent don't know about the ability of digital photocopiers to store a document image on the copier's hard drive which could later be retrieved by a hacker.

44 percent are more concerned than last year about the security of their personal information.

52 percent are just as concerned as they were last year.

93 percent feel their tax preparer should be required to protect their data.

76 percent who have taxes prepared by a professional feel their tax preparer's copier or printer should be secure.

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