Identity theft of tax return

How to help protect your tax return from identity theft? What happens after you report identity theft to the IRS? How can identity thieves steal your tax refund?

Some taxpayers will be given the option of getting an IP PIN, using the IRS. Dear erika: I have worked with the IRS several times for people in your situation and they have been most helpful.

They (the Advocate)will help clear your name on the IRS. You will have to submit documents to prove your identity and address (for example- state issued I utility bill, rental lease or receipt, SS Card) with form. When someone has enough of your personal information to file a fraudulent tax return , she can use your identity to commit other crimes.

In addition to alerting the IRS , you should place a freeze on your credit report file with all three credit bureaus to prevent unauthorized accounts from being opened. This flag helps the IRS better detect possible future fraudulent return filings and stop the return before sending any refund. IRS developed new systems for spotting identity theft in tax returns. There are common types of identity theft involving tax matters: Using the victim’s social security number (“SSN”) on a false tax return and claiming a refund.

A worker using the taxpayer’s SSN resulting in additional income being reported to the IRS.

The good news: In the U. A taxpayer ’s SSN can be stolen through a data breach, a computer hack or a lost wallet. Go to this other IRS page to learn more about tax -related identity theft. ID theft refunds from reaching suspected criminals and identified more than 260fraudulent returns involving identity theft.

Your mailing address. However, there are many other reasons why people might not have received their payment that they should explore first: People who are not normally required to file a tax return. Individuals who make less than $12a. Access IRS Tax Forms. Complete, Edit or Print Tax Forms Instantly.

Simply put, tax-related identity theft (or tax refund identity theft) is when someone uses a stolen Social Security number to file a tax return. Even if you actually owe taxes, the fraudsters don’t care. Tax identity theft, whether it’s with the Internal Revenue Service or your state’s Department of Revenue, Franchise Tax Board or other Taxation agency, can be a complicated issue to resolve. This PIN adds an extra level of security when you or someone else tries to file a tax return in your name.

File tax returns and pay your taxes even as the fraud is being resolved. File a complaint with the FTC at identitytheft. Place a fraud alert on your credit records by phoning one of the three principal credit agencies.

But here are the most common telltale signs: If your federal income tax return has already been filed by someone else using your PII, they may try to shortstop your refund. Tax identity theft , sometimes called tax frau occurs when a thief uses your information to file a fraudulent tax return to steal money from the IRS. One reason why people might not have received their stimulus check payment is because they are victims of tax identity theft.

Filing your tax return as soon as possible can reduce the likelihood that an identity thief will be able to claim a fraudulent tax refund using your stolen information. Protect data and documents. Identity theft occurs when someone fraudulently obtains or uses your personal information, such as your name, social security number, or credit card number.