Stealing Tax Refunds

In all the discussions about the Equifax data breach, here’s one danger many Americans probably haven’t heard about yet: tax fraud. For years to come, thieves may be able to use data from the breach to file fraudulent tax returns and steal refunds. Abby Eisenkraft, tax and financial expert, author of 101 Ways to Stay Off the IRS Radar outlined the warning signs and explained what consumers can do to protect themselves.

Fake News on Social Media

Fake news is common on social media sites. Gita Johar, PhD, Meyer Feldberg Professor of Business, Columbia Business School led a study that found that the comfort of being part of a group on social media seemed to influence people\'s willingness to verify information. She offered theories on why social media users fact-checked fewer statements when they perceived that others were present. She offered suggestions of how Americans can try to stay informed but still recognize dubious information.

The Use of AED’s for Heart Attacks

Automated external defibrillators might be increasingly available for use in the event of a cardiac arrest, but Dr. Christopher M. Smith, PhD Student in Health Sciences, Warwick Medical School, Coventry, England led a study that found that they aren’t being used nearly as much as they should be. He talked about the reasons that bystanders are reluctant to use AEDs and what government officials can do to help.

Abby Eisenkraft

Abby Eisenkraft is the CEO of Choice Tax Solutions Inc. She is a federally licensed Enrolled Agent (EA), an Accredited Tax Advisor (ATA), Accredited Tax Preparer (ATP) and a Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor (CRPC).



Abby started her career in tax as a preparer, and quickly gained a reputation for successfully dealing with difficult tax problems, including those previously unsolvable by other tax professionals. She currently specializes in tax controversy cases such as federal and state tax audits, non-filer cases, residency audits, international matters, etc.



Abby is passionate about defending taxpayers\' rights before the IRS and State Taxing Authorities. She is a speaker on various tax and financial topics, a consultant (specializing in the self-employed), and is often quoted in the media as a tax and financial expert.

Abby\'s Website

Gita Johar

Gita V. Johar (PhD NYU 1993; MBA Indian Institute of Management Calcutta 1985) has been on the faculty of Columbia Business School since 1992 and is currently the Meyer Feldberg Professor of Business. She served as the school’s Senior Vice Dean from 2011 to 2014, as the inaugural Vice Dean for Research from 2010 to 2011, as Director of the Columbia Business School Behavioral Lab from 2006 to 2011, and on Columbia University’s Institutional Review Board from 2002 to 2005. Professor Johar is also the Faculty Director of the Marketing and Innovation Executive Education program, Chair of the Faculty Steering Committee for the Columbia Global Centers | South Asia in Mumbai, and the editor of the premier academic journal on consumer behavior, the Journal of Consumer Research. Professor Johar\'s expertise lies in consumer psychology, focusing on how consumers react to marketing efforts, especially advertising, promotions and sponsorship. She also examines the influence of consumer self-control and perceptions of control on decision making and consumption. This research has implications for the design of effective communication strategies. She has published several influential articles in the areas of consumer persuasion and decision making in leading marketing and psychology journals. Professor Johar has also published cases on consumer adoptions of new products and on marketing and advertising planning and teaches courses on Advertising and Branding, Global Immersion: India, Global Immersion: Myanmar, Research Methods, and Consumer Behavior to MBA, Executive MBA and PhD students.

Learn More about Ms. Johar