With tax season in full swing, scammers are working overtime to steal personal information and your refunds at every stage of the tax filing process, even attempting to file fraudulent returns in your name. In fact, 81% of people have reported falling victim to a tax scam, according to the latest LifeLock study. Making it even worse, with all the AI, you need to be careful. LifeLock has some easy tips to stay safe. First, know that the IRS will never reach out to you via email, text, or social media to request personal or financial info, so if you see anything from the IRS through these methods, it's likely a scam. Next, be careful with tax prep services and make sure your tax preparer has a valid preparer tax id number and is authorized to file returns. A service like LifeLock helps monitor and protect against identity theft. Norton 360 with LifeLock is also great because it's an all-in-one protection for your devices, online privacy, and identity. Plus, it includes Norton Genie Scam Protection, which uses AI to detect and fight advanced scams. It will alert you and help flag suspicious texts, emails, and websites you browse, and it blocks fraudulent calls--lots of layers of protection to help you avoid becoming the next scam victim. Next, update your passwords, enable multi-factor authentication on your accounts and devices, and double-check your credit reports for signs of ID theft. Staying ahead of scammers doesn't need to be complicated. Learn more at lifelock.com or norton.com . This time of year, you want to make sure everything in your home is up to snuff by checking fire alarms and smoke detectors. You also want to make sure your power is protected during unexpected outages. We are loving this kit from Jackery. It's their 5000 Plus , an essential home backup kit, which comes with two 500-watt high-powered solar panels, along with a smart transfer switch that seamlessly integrates into your home's electrical system, letting you generate your own clean power. Unlike traditional gas generators, it's quiet and indoor-safe. Usually, whole home systems require hefty installation, but this kit will cover your most needed essentials for half the cost. For more information, visit jackery.com .
