How artists and arts organizations can protect their identity

With the recent security breach of state tax records at the South Carolina Department of Revenue, the South Carolina Arts Commission is working with state officials to ensure that South Carolina artists and arts organizations are notified about the steps necessary to protect your identity.    INDIVIDUALS As you likely know, the State of South Carolina is providing one year of free credit protection for individual taxpayers. If you have not already done so, visit www.protectmyid.com/scdor and enter code SCDOR123 or call 1-866-578-5422 to enroll for one FREE year of identity theft protection.You must sign up by January 31, 2013. The S.C. Department of Consumer Affairs recommends other optional steps you can take to protect your identity, including placing a fraud alert and/or a security freeze on your credit report. Both services are free and relatively easy. We are providing the instructional PDFs here for you to download:  Minimizing the effects of a security breach (two pages) explains how to take these steps and provides phone numbers and websites. How to place, thaw or lift a security freeze (two pages) includes important details in an easy-to-read format.    NONPROFITS AND ARTS BUSINESSES  The State of South Carolina has arranged for free credit monitoring services for all S.C. businesses through Dun & Bradstreet Credibility Corporation and Experian.    According to the S.C. Association of Nonprofits (SCANPO), nonprofits that file a 990-T with the S.C. Department of Revenue to report unrelated business income should sign up for the free monitoring services. This may include nonprofits with gift shops (such as museums) or those that engage in other types of merchandising.    If your organization only files a standard 990 with the IRS, your information was likely not involved in the data breach, however, there is no harm in signing up for the protection service. There is no cost and the sign-up process is quick and easy.    Businesses (including nonprofits) should register for both the Dun & Bradstreet service (www.dandb.com/sc/) or 800.279.9881 and the Experian service (www.smartbusinessreports.com/southcarolina). You must sign up by January 31, 2013. OTHER RESOURCES FOR EVERYONE     The Federal Trade Commission has two free publications explaining what to do in case of identify theft. We are providing these publications here for you to download:   Identify Theft: What to Know, What to Do (two pages) Taking Charge: What to Do if Your Identify is Stolen (to-do lists, contact information, blank forms and sample letters. 68 pages.)    These publications can be ordered in bulk for free atwww.ftc.gov/idtheft   If you need additional information regarding identity protection, visit theS.C. Department of Revenue's website. We will continue to monitor developments and share any new information we find.   Thank you, Ken May Executive Director South Carolina Arts Commission