Security Statement

Jones
Security Statement
[Revised: May 27, 2018]

As the digital age continues, we understand that many users are concerned about the safety of their information online.  The web servers at Jones & Associates are designed to protect the customer and employ industry standard methods of safeguarding any information sent over the internet.  This security statement describes how we manage the risk of transmitting documents and provides additional information about how you can file your return with Jones & Associates with confidence. For each visitor that submits a form to taxeswithjones.com, our web tracking software automatically recognizes and records user data such as the Internet Protocol address (“IP”) address, the date and time of the page request, and e-mail address (if applicable). We also collect information on which pages in our domain are accessed or visited by each visitor.

Below, we have given answers to questions that we anticipate our customers may have.

If I transmit documents via the internet through the Jones & Associates website, is the information I send to you secure while it is being sent?
Our goal is to make doing business with Jones & Associates the most efficient, secure, and enjoyable experience as possible. The Jones & Associates website utilizes Secure Sockets Layer (“SSL”) certificates to encrypt data that travels between your computer and our servers. In order to add an additional layer of security, sensitive documents that are transmitted between users utilize cPaperless © software. This software requires that each user answer authenticating answers as well as a username and password before being able to access any documents that are being transmitted. This allows us to make sure your documents are safe and can only be opened by one of our representatives.
 
When I log into the members only portion of the site to view the completed status of my return, is the information about the status of the return secure while it is being sent?
Jones & Associates is dedicated to the protection of its users’ privacy. All personal, financial, and client information submitted through our website will be kept confidential, accurate, and secure. Each page wherein information is exchanged employs the SSL encryption technology. To ensure the information you see is actually secure, browsers will display a green security lock in the URL address bar or in the bottom right hand side of the browser window when you are viewing information from a secure site.

If I send documents via email or the website, does that mean someone can get to my computer from across the internet and get my tax return information?
When sending documents via email, our users will use a link provided in the email that says “send documents securely”. What this means, is that customers will be sent to page that will allow them to upload their documents through our licensed secure document send software. This is us doing our part to add as many layers of internal controls to safeguard your documents. In regards to someone getting access to your return information, there are a few things that one must be mindful of:

  1. Tax return data files are stored on our servers are encrypted and not accessible without authenticating information inputted by the user.

  2. For most dial-up internet service providers (ISP), a unique IP address is assigned every time an internet connection is established. It is therefore very unlikely that the same IP address is assigned to the user’s internet connection twice in one day.

  3. Users should consider having a firewall on your existing systems for added security. A firewall can restrict access to your computer from across the internet and keep your files secure from external attacks.


How do I know that the information regarding payment options is secure?
Payments and credit card information are handled through PayPal ® servers. The business PayPal option encrypts all payment information so that it cannot be read or intercepted by unaffiliated individuals.

Security Questions or Comments
Jones & Associates is dedicated to providing a secure, easy-to-use site where users can submit their information with peace of mind. One of our top priorities is to provide users with the most secure environment possible. We have taken the precautionary measures and outsourced important security points to well-known and respected cyber security companies to mitigate risk. However, it is important to note that in the age of evolving cyber security threats, data transmission over wireless networks cannot be guaranteed to be secure. If you have any questions, comments or concerns, please contact us via email at hello@taxeswithjones.com