For many taxpayers, the first time they may know their identity has been compromised, is when they file their return later in the filing season and it is discovered that two returns have been filed using the same Social Security number.
Here are the top 12 things the IRS wants you to know about identity theft so you can avoid becoming the victim of an identity thief.
1) The IRS does not initiate contact with taxpayers by e-mail to request personal or financial information. The IRS does not send emails stating you are being electronically audited or that you are getting a refund.
2) If you receive a scam e-mail claiming to be from the IRS, forward it to the IRS at phishing@irs.gov.
3) Identity thieves get your personal information by many different means, including:
* Stealing your wallet or purse
* Posing as someone who needs information about you through a phone call or e-mail.
* Looking through your trash for personal information
* Accessing information you provide to an unsecured internet site.
4) If you discover a website that claims to be the IRS but does not begin with ‘www.irs.gov’, forward that link to the IRS at phishing@irs.gov
5) To learn how to identify a secure website, visit the Federal Trade commission at www.onguardonline.gov
6) If your social security number is stolen, another individual may use it to get a job. That person’s employer may report income earned by them to the IRS using your Social Security Number, thus making it appear that you did not report all of your income on your tax return. When this occurs, you should contact the IRS to show that the income is not yours. Your record will be updated to reelect only your information. You will also be asked to submit substantiating documentation to authenticate yourself. That information will be used to minimize this occurrence in future years.
7) Your identity may have been stolen if a letter from the IRS indicates more than one tax return was filed for you or the letter states you received wages from an employer you don’t know. If you receive such a letter from the IRS, leading you to believe your identity has been stolen, respond immediately to the mane, address or phone number on the IRS notice.
8) If your tax records are not currently affected by identity theft, but you believe you may be at risk due to a lost wallet, questionable credit card activity, or credit report, you need to provide the IRS with proof of your identity. You should submit a copy of your valid government-issued identification- such as a Social Security card, driver’s license, or passport- along with a copy of a police report and/ or a completed IRS Form 14039, Identity Theft Affidavit, which should be faxed to the IRS at 978-684-4542. Please be sure to write clearly. As an option, you can also contact the IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit, toll-free at 800-908-4490. You should also follow FTC guidance for reporting identity theft at www.ftc.gov/idtheft .
9) Show your Social Security card to your employer when you start a job or to your financial institution for tax reporting purposes. Do not routinely carry your card or other documents that display your Social Security number.
10) For more information about identity theft – including information about how to report identity theft, phishing, and related fraudulent activity – visit the IRS Identity Theft and Your Tax Records Page, which you can find by searching “Identity Theft” on the IRS.gov homepage.
11) IRS impersonation schemes flourish during tax season and can take the form of e-mail, phone websites, even tweets. Scammers may also use a phone or fax to reach their victims. If you receive a paper letter or notice via mail claiming to be the IRS but you suspect it is a scam, contact the IRS at http://www.irs.gov/contact/
12) If you have information about the identity thief that impacted your personal information negatively, file an online complaint with the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).
IC3 give victims of cyber crime a convenient and easy-to-use reporting mechanism that alerts authorities of suspected criminal or civil violations. IC3 sends every complaint to one or more law enforecement or regulatory agencies that have jurisdiction over the matter.
IRS.gov, IRS Tax Tips. (2012). Irs tax tips (Special Edition Tax Tip 2012-12). Retrieved from website: http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/
Remember – Your tax return and other personal information is protected under the regulations and guidelines of the HIPAA laws.
We are restricted on how we may dispense any information to a third party.
Here are the top 12 things the IRS wants you to know about identity theft so you can avoid becoming the victim of an identity thief.
1) The IRS does not initiate contact with taxpayers by e-mail to request personal or financial information. The IRS does not send emails stating you are being electronically audited or that you are getting a refund.
2) If you receive a scam e-mail claiming to be from the IRS, forward it to the IRS at phishing@irs.gov.
3) Identity thieves get your personal information by many different means, including:
* Stealing your wallet or purse
* Posing as someone who needs information about you through a phone call or e-mail.
* Looking through your trash for personal information
* Accessing information you provide to an unsecured internet site.
4) If you discover a website that claims to be the IRS but does not begin with ‘www.irs.gov’, forward that link to the IRS at phishing@irs.gov
5) To learn how to identify a secure website, visit the Federal Trade commission at www.onguardonline.gov
6) If your social security number is stolen, another individual may use it to get a job. That person’s employer may report income earned by them to the IRS using your Social Security Number, thus making it appear that you did not report all of your income on your tax return. When this occurs, you should contact the IRS to show that the income is not yours. Your record will be updated to reelect only your information. You will also be asked to submit substantiating documentation to authenticate yourself. That information will be used to minimize this occurrence in future years.
7) Your identity may have been stolen if a letter from the IRS indicates more than one tax return was filed for you or the letter states you received wages from an employer you don’t know. If you receive such a letter from the IRS, leading you to believe your identity has been stolen, respond immediately to the mane, address or phone number on the IRS notice.
8) If your tax records are not currently affected by identity theft, but you believe you may be at risk due to a lost wallet, questionable credit card activity, or credit report, you need to provide the IRS with proof of your identity. You should submit a copy of your valid government-issued identification- such as a Social Security card, driver’s license, or passport- along with a copy of a police report and/ or a completed IRS Form 14039, Identity Theft Affidavit, which should be faxed to the IRS at 978-684-4542. Please be sure to write clearly. As an option, you can also contact the IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit, toll-free at 800-908-4490. You should also follow FTC guidance for reporting identity theft at www.ftc.gov/idtheft .
9) Show your Social Security card to your employer when you start a job or to your financial institution for tax reporting purposes. Do not routinely carry your card or other documents that display your Social Security number.
10) For more information about identity theft – including information about how to report identity theft, phishing, and related fraudulent activity – visit the IRS Identity Theft and Your Tax Records Page, which you can find by searching “Identity Theft” on the IRS.gov homepage.
11) IRS impersonation schemes flourish during tax season and can take the form of e-mail, phone websites, even tweets. Scammers may also use a phone or fax to reach their victims. If you receive a paper letter or notice via mail claiming to be the IRS but you suspect it is a scam, contact the IRS at http://www.irs.gov/contact/
12) If you have information about the identity thief that impacted your personal information negatively, file an online complaint with the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3).
IC3 give victims of cyber crime a convenient and easy-to-use reporting mechanism that alerts authorities of suspected criminal or civil violations. IC3 sends every complaint to one or more law enforecement or regulatory agencies that have jurisdiction over the matter.
IRS.gov, IRS Tax Tips. (2012). Irs tax tips (Special Edition Tax Tip 2012-12). Retrieved from website: http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/
Remember – Your tax return and other personal information is protected under the regulations and guidelines of the HIPAA laws.
We are restricted on how we may dispense any information to a third party.
Keep Informed!
Don’t wait until tax time to find out how the new tax laws will affect you.
Don’t wait until tax time to find out how the new tax laws will affect you.
O By Appointment Only * The office is closed from Dec 19th and will reopen on January 5th at 9am. | Office Hours – Tax Season (Jan 5th – April 30th) By Appointment Only |
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