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Tax Identity Theft Awareness Posted in Identity Theft, Safety & Security, Scams & Fraud | May, 2018 print friendly version

The Federal Trade Commission raises consumer awareness about the threat posed by tax identity theft, a scam that puts thousands of consumers at risk every year.  Tax identity theft typically happens when a scammer files a fraudulent tax return using another individual’s social security number, receiving a refund electronically. A consumer typically discovers they have been a victim of tax identity theft when they go to file their own tax return, only to be informed by the Internal Revenue Service that a return has already been filed in their name.

An unexpected notice or letter from the IRS could alert you that someone else is using your SSN, however, the IRS doesn’t start contact with a taxpayer by sending an email, text or social media message that asks for personal or financial information. If you get an email that claims to be from the IRS, do not reply or click on any links. Instead, forward it to phishing@irs.gov.

Contact the IRS if they send you a notice saying their records show:

Visit https://www.identitytheft.gov/ to report identity theft.

Click http://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/tax-related-identity-theft for further information.

If you have further questions, please do not hesitate to  contact us.

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