The IRS, the states and the tax industry are committed to protecting you from identity theft. Working together, they have made many changes to combat identity theft and are making progress. However, cybercriminals are constantly evolving. The IRS is working hand-in-hand with your state revenue officials, your tax software provider and your tax professional, but need your help. By taking a few simple steps to protect all of your digital devices, you can better protect your personal and financial data online and at home. Please consider these steps to protect yourself from identity thieves:

Keep Your Computer and Mobile Phone Secure

• Use security software and make sure it updates automatically; essential tools include, firewall, virus/malware protection and file encryption for sensitive data
• Treat your personal information like cash, don’t leave it lying around
• Use strong, unique passwords; consider a password manager
• Use 2-Factor Authentication
• Give personal information only over encrypted websites - look for “https” addresses
• Back up your files

Avoid Phishing Scams and Malware

Identity thieves use phishing emails to trick users into giving up passwords and other information. Don’t take the bait. Look for:
• Emails that pose as trusted source, i.e. bank, tax provider;
• Emails with an urgent message, i.e. update your account now!, with instructions to open a link or attachment
• Never download software or apps from pop-up advertising
• Talk to family about online security, both with computers and mobile devices

Protect Personal Information

• Don’t routinely carry your or any dependents’ Social Security card or documents with an SSN.
• Do not overshare personal information on social media. Information about past addresses, a new car, a new home and even your children help identity thieves pose as you.
• Keep old tax returns and tax records under lock and key or encrypted if electronic. Shred tax documents before trashing.

Avoid IRS Impersonators

• The IRS will not call you with threats of jail or lawsuits.
• The IRS will not send you an unsolicited email suggesting you have a refund or that you need to update your account.
• The IRS will not request any sensitive information online. These are all scams, and they are persistent. Don’t fall for them.
• Forward IRS-related scam emails to phishing@irs.gov
• Report IRS impersonation telephone calls at www.tigta.gov.

Additional steps:

• Check your credit report annually; check your bank and credit card statements often.
• Review your Social Security Administration records annually: Sign up for My Social Security at www.ssa.gov.
• If you are an identity theft victim and your tax account is affected, review www.irs.gov/identitytheft for details.

Summer brings warm temperatures and the potential for severe weather. Residents are reminded to take the possibility of severe weather seriously and prepare ahead of time. Here are some tips for weathering any summer storm.

KNOW SEVERE WEATHER TERMINOLOGY
• Tornado or Severe Thunderstorm Watch: Conditions are right for a serious storm or tornado to develop. Watch for danger signs and be ready to seek shelter quickly. Stay tuned to the radio or TV for National Weather Service bulletins.
• Severe Thunderstorm Warning: Severe weather has been reported by spotters or indicated by radar. Warnings indicate  imminent danger to life and property to those in the storm’s path.
• Tornado Warning: A tornado has been sighted or indicated by radar. Warning sirens will be sounded and you should find shelter immediately. 

Warning Sirens
Bartlett is equipped with several warning sirens to notify you of a weather emergency. Sirens are tested at 10 a.m. on the first Tuesday of each month. Other than testing, the signals are sounded only if a tornado warning is issued. If you hear the siren, take cover immediately; turn on a radio or TV for more information.

As a Storm Ready Community, Bartlett reminds you that the weather sirens will NEVER be used to signal that conditions are
safe. It is up to you to decide when it is safe to leave places of shelter.

A resident recently emailed and suggested that since the number of bicyclists in the Village seems to be increasing, it might be a good time for a refresher on sharing the roadways. Here are some cyclist and pedestrian safety tips for drivers from www.cyberdriveillinois.com

 • Drivers must yield the right-of-way to a bicyclist just as they would to another vehicle.
 • Bicyclists should travel just to the right of faster moving traffic. However, drivers need to be aware that certain hazards such as rough surfaces, debris, drainage grates or a narrow traffic lane may require bike riders to move toward the center of the lane.
 • Motorists must pass a cyclist slowly and leave at least three feet of passing space.
 • Crowding or threatening a bicyclist is prohibited.
 • A motorist should not park or drive in marked bicycle lanes.
 • When following bicyclists, give them plenty of room and be prepared to stop quickly. Use extra caution during rainy and icy weather. At night do not use high beams when you see an oncoming biker.
 • After parking and before opening vehicle doors, a motorist should first check for bicyclists.
 • When a motorist is turning left and there is a bicyclist entering the intersection from the opposite direction, the driver should wait for the bicyclist to pass before making the turn. Also, if a motorist is sharing the left turn lane with a bicyclist, stay behind them until they have safely completed their turn.
 • If a motorist is turning right and a bicyclist is approaching on the right, let the bicyclist go through the intersection first before making a right turn. Remember to always signal when turning.

A driver must come to a complete stop (and yield):
 • When a pedestrian is in a marked crosswalk.
 • On school days, when children are in close proximity to a school zone crosswalk.
A driver must yield to a pedestrian
 • When a pedestrian is in an unmarked crosswalk on the driver's side of the roadway and there are no traffic control signals.
 • When making a turn at any intersection.
 • When making a lawful turn on a red light after coming to a complete stop.
 • After coming to a complete stop at a stop sign or flashing red signal at an intersection.
 • When a pedestrian enters a crosswalk before the traffic light changed.
 • When a pedestrian is walking with a green light, to a walking person symbol or a walk signal.
 • When a pedestrian is leaving or entering a street or highway from an alley, building, private road or driveway.
 • When a pedestrian is entering an intersection with a flashing yellow arrow.

 Drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians are all responsible for following traffic rules and for safely sharing the Village roadways. 

Whether dealing with extreme weather events or other types of disaster, preparedness should be a year-round activity. Yet, in 2012, nearly 70 percent of Americans had not participated in a disaster preparedness drill or exercise at home, school, or work during the past year, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

The agency’s Ready Campaign established four universal building blocks of emergency preparedness: Be informed, Make a Plan, Build a Kit, and Get Involved.

One important way to prepare is to have some basic supplies on hand in order to survive for at least three days if an emergency occurs.

Following is a list of items that every emergency supply kit should include:
~ Water - one gallon per person, per day for a three day supply
~ Food - non-perishable, easy to prepare items for a three day supply
~ Working flashlight and extra batteries
~ Battery powered or hand crank radio and/or a NOAA Weather Radio receiver with tone alert
~ Basic first aid kit
~ Whistle to signal for help
~ Dust mask to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
~ Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
~ Multi-purpose tool, wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
~ Can opener for food
~ Local maps

Additional items to consider adding to an emergency supply kit:
~ Prescription medications and eyeglasses
~ Infant formula and diapers
~ Pet food and extra water for your pet
~ Important family documents, such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container
~ Extra cash or traveler’s checks and change
~ Emergency reference material, such as a first aid book
~ Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person
~ Complete change of clothing, including a long sleeved shirt, long pants, sturdy shoes and work gloves.
~ Rain gear and towels
~ Household chlorine bleach and medicine dropper. When diluted nine parts water to one part bleach, bleach can be used as a disinfectant. Or in an emergency, you can use it to treat water by using 16 drops of regular household liquid bleach per gallon of water. Do not use scented, color safe or bleaches with added cleaners.
~ Fire extinguisher
~ Matches in a waterproof container
~ Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items
~ Mess kits, paper cups, plates and plastic utensils, paper towels
~ Cell phone with chargers
~ Family and emergency contact information
~ Extra set of car and house keys
~ Paper and pencil
~ Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children

It is important that you review this list and consider where you live and the unique requirements of your family in order to create an emergency kit that will meet your specific needs. You might also consider having at least two emergency supply kits, one full kit at home and smaller portable kits for your workplace, vehicle or other places you spend a significant amount of time.

Visit www.ready.gov/ for additional information.