Dangerous practices by tax firms on the web
Steven H. Kassel, EA
wouldn't normally post something of this nature, but this is important.
Important because it should point out how dangerous some of "our" practices
can be to our clients. Take a good look at http://www.ibserv.com/Oicform.htm
and you will find the most ignorant practice I have ever seen from a supposed
tax "professional". Once you take a look, look for anything indicating that
it is a non-secure site asking for very personal information including Social
Security numbers, bank account numbers, credit cards, etc. I have filed
formal complaints with the AICPA, the Washington State Board of Accountancy
and the Washington Society of CPAs.
Let them do what I am doing. That is, spend $349 to get a secure certificate
from VeriSign and than practice responsibly to keep the information from
others. This is appalling behavior from a CPA firm. I hope you all contact
this firm and let them know how horrid their practices are. -- I testified
before The National Commission on Restructuring the IRS in 1997. Visit my web
site at http://www.irstaxes.com for more information on my services.
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>You think you've seen everything there is to see on the web and then this. I
>wouldn't normally post something of this nature, but this is important.
>Important because it should point out how dangerous some of "our" practices
>can be to our clients. Take a good look at http://www.ibserv.com/Oicform.htm
>and you will find the most ignorant practice I have ever seen from a supposed
>tax "professional". Once you take a look, look for anything indicating that
>it is a non-secure site asking for very personal information including Social
>Security numbers, bank account numbers, credit cards, etc. I have filed
>formal complaints with the AICPA, the Washington State Board of Accountancy
>and the Washington Society of CPAs.
>
>Let them do what I am doing. That is, spend $349 to get a secure certificate
>from VeriSign and than practice responsibly to keep the information from
>others. This is appalling behavior from a CPA firm. I hope you all contact
>this firm and let them know how horrid their practices are.
Steve, first I think you should make sure they are who they say who they are.
Second, I agree they ask for a level of detail that is not only not needed for
a preliminary analysis but which, if freely supplied, could be misused and
cause tremendous harm. The nature and timing of Offers do not require online
submission of personal information. A Fax or the mail is more than sufficient.
I would advise that no one should fill the form out. It is not necessarily
unprofessional but it does show extraordinary stupidity. If it turns out they
are not really CPA's but someone seeking personal information - then it is
criminal.
Mike Wellman, CPA
Visit http://IRSOS.com for help with wage garnishments,
bank levies, installment agreements, delinquent returns,
audits, appeals and seizures and Offers in Compromise.
SKassel EA
>Second, I agree they ask for a level of detail that is not only not needed
>for
>a preliminary analysis but which, if freely supplied, could be misused and
>cause tremendous harm. The nature and timing of Offers do not require online
>submission of personal information. A Fax or the mail is more than
>sufficient.
>I would advise that no one should fill the form out. It is not necessarily
>unprofessional but it does show extraordinary stupidity. If it turns out they
>are not really CPA's but someone seeking personal information - then it is
>criminal.
>
>Mike Wellman, CPA
>Visit http://IRSOS.com for help with wage garnishments,
>bank levies, installment agreements, delinquent returns,
>audits, appeals and seizures and Offers in Compromise.
>
Mike, I confirmed all of the information. They are simple typical tax people,
that is, complete buffoons when it comes to anything involving technology. I
swear to you that CPAs and EAs are without the doubt the least knowledgeable
people with techy stuff. Meanwhile, they got smart and took out the e-mail
portion and have it set up to print and fax which makes far more sense. But, I
shouldn't have to tell them that. They are big boys and if you are going to
have a web site, use it responsibly or not at all.
I have just put up a form that asks for similar information, but does not
include SSN's, bank account numbers, etc. What I am thinking of doing is
setting up a page with all of the financial information that is not linked to
any other page. When someone hires me and we need to do a financial, I can give
them the url of that page, then have them send that to me over a secure socket.
Some people would rather answer questions than fill out a 433-A/B. While it is
the same info, in a questionnaire form, it is a bit less ominous.
The IRS does have the 433-A available as a fill-in form, which is better than
doing it by hand.
Steven H. Kassel, EA
In 1997, I testified on Capitol Hill before
The National Commission on Restructuring
the IRS. For tax help, visit us at
http://www.irstaxes.com
Steven H. Kassel, EA
President of Griffiths & Co., CPAs.
<<----- Original Message -----
From: Thomas M. Griffiths
To: Steven H. Kassel, EA
Sent: Wednesday, April 28, 1999 5:17 PM
Subject: Re: http://www.grifco.com/Oicform.htm &
http://www.ibserv.com/Oicform.htm
According to legal council, voluntary submission of this information on a non
secure sight is not illegal. Thank you for your interest in our web site.>>
This company did change the form located at grifco.com to exclude an e-mail
option and to replace it with a print and fax statement. However, they did not
do so at ibserv.com/Oicform.htm. It is apparent that their interest in taking
care of their clients confidential information is non-existent.
--
I testified before The National Commission on Restructuring the IRS in