Idiot puts his tax returns in his P2P shared files folder

Queasy

Moderator<br>Console Gaming
Aug 24, 2001
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No doubt computers and the internet have made filing your taxes easier. But it can also be big trouble if your tax returns--and all the private information they contain--wind up online. We found one local man it happened to.

Don Bodiker uses a popular file sharing program to swap music and other information over the internet. He also uses his computer to prepare his taxes.

He never thought the two had anything to do with each other, until he got a call. "I had no idea who he was or what he was. I just thought he was a typical telemarketer," Bodiker said of the call. "And he wanted to inform me that my tax returns were being posted out on the internet. I was very skeptical but he then proceeded to tell me some very specific details about my tax return."

File sharing software allows you to download files stored in certain shared folders on other users' computers. The flipside is they can also download files from your shared folder. There's a folder on their computer the Bodikers use store the music files they wanted to share. What they didn't realize is that their tax return software saved their returns in the very same place.

"Oh my God, I thought everybody and anybody knows exactly what my social security number is, my address, you know, anything that I had that was pertinent on there that could be used as an identity theft process," said Bodiker.

And he's not alone. A simple search on the file sharing network for the word "tax" turned up hundreds of returns. "It's made me more aware of the possibilities of programs that you attach to your computer," said Bodiker. "Ultimately, if you don't have to keep it on your computer, make a hard copy, and file it away. And that's always the best thing."

That's some good, old-fashioned advice for the information age.

The good Samaritan who called Bodiker--he only wants to be identified as Jeff--says he's called dozens of others and has plenty more to go. He says if you use file sharing, just be careful your shared folder is not the one you save sensitive information to.

Fortunately it looks like Bodiker caught the problem before his information spread.

This is not the only trouble associated with file sharing software. People can also get into trouble for swapping copyrighted material. There is content out there that's free and meant to be shared. You just need to make sure your private information doesn't go with it.
 

imported_Phil

Diamond Member
Feb 10, 2001
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omgretard.

Who the fvck saves their TAX RETURNS in their P2P SHARED FOLDER??

Has the world gone utterly mad!?
 

KLin

Lifer
Feb 29, 2000
29,988
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Originally posted by: Dopefiend
omgretard.

Who the fvck saves their TAX RETURNS in their P2P SHARED FOLDER??

Has the world gone utterly mad!?

Depends on if they shared their whole hard drive or not. :p
 

pyonir

Lifer
Dec 18, 2001
40,855
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Originally posted by: Queasy
Originally posted by: pyonir
hilarity did not ensue. I want my money back.

Sorry, no refunds.

*files complaint with the hilarity ensuing department*

I'll get you Queasy.....I'll get you.
 

hevnsnt

Lifer
Mar 18, 2000
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Originally posted by: zippo
/searches for 'tax'


lol..

What kills me is that guy probably has "Identity Theft Protection" on his bank accts, shreds all his old mail, etc... Then does this.
 

EagleKeeper

Discussion Club Moderator<br>Elite Member
Staff member
Oct 30, 2000
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Person must have shared his compled C: or MyDocuments folder.

Some Tax S/W will create a storage directory under MyDocs.
Others create a working directory under Program Files and a sub folder for the data files.

Either way, the S/W requests that the user state the directory or accept the default.
 

artikk

Diamond Member
Dec 24, 2004
4,172
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Originally posted by: toekramp
people are morons

that should be one of the universal known truths
People are idiots, in a greater or lesser degree.
 

Zim Hosein

Super Moderator | Elite Member
Super Moderator
Nov 27, 1999
65,134
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Originally posted by: hevnsnt
Originally posted by: zippo
/searches for 'tax'

lol..

What kills me is that guy probably has "Identity Theft Protection" on his bank accts, shreds all his old mail, etc... Then does this.

I concur :beer:

 

Vic

Elite Member
Jun 12, 2001
50,422
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Operator error. I'd say he was obviously sharing his entire My Documents folder. WinXP creates a My Music subdirectory and most tax software creates a Taxes subdirectory inside My Documents.
 

Ranger X

Lifer
Mar 18, 2000
11,218
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Some people just share the entire drive so everything becomes readily available. I remember during college people would share their C drive with full read/write access over the local network. I didn't do anything evil but I was tempted to show them a lesson. :evil: