March 2019: Tax-Related Identity Theft

Tax Return Photo

As tax season approaches, the Winter Springs Police Department wants you to be prepared!

 
What is tax-related identity theft?

Tax-related identity theft occurs when someone uses your stolen social security number (SSN) and other personal information to file a fraudulent tax return to claim a refund. You may be unaware this has happened until you e-file your return and discover that a return already has been filed using your SSN or the IRS may send you a letter saying they have identified a suspicious return using your SSN.

Know the warning signs!

Be alert to possible tax-related identity theft if you are contacted by the IRS or your tax professional/provider about:

  • More than one tax return filed using your SSN.
  • You owe additional tax, a refund offset or have had collection actions taken against you for a year you did not file a tax return.
  • IRS records indicate you received wages or other income from an employer for whom you did not work.

If you suspect you are a victim of identity theft, continue to pay your taxes and file your tax return, even if you must do so by paper.

Steps To Take If You Become A Victim

If you are a victim of identity theft, the Federal Trade Commission recommends these steps:

  • File a complaint with the FTC at identitytheft.gov.
  • Contact one of the three major credit bureaus to place a ‘fraud alert’ on your credit records:
  • Contact your financial institutions, and close any financial or credit accounts opened without your permission or tampered with by identity thieves.

If your SSN has been compromised, and you know or suspect you are a victim of tax-related identity theft, the IRS recommends these additional steps:

  • Respond immediately to any IRS notice; call the number provided on that notice.
  • Complete an IRS Form 14039 (Identity Theft Affidavit) if your e-filed return is rejected because of a duplicate filing under your SSN or you are instructed to do so. Use a fillable form from IRS.gov then print and attach the form to your return and mail it according to the instructions.

If you previously contacted the IRS and did not get a resolution, contact IRS-Identity Theft for specialized assistance at 1-800-908-4490. They have teams available to assist.

The above information was obtained from the IRS website, here.

Instead of tax fraud, you may receive a phone call from someone claiming to be from the FBI or IRS.  Please keep these things in mind:

  • The FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) does not collect tax money.
  • The IRS (Internal Revenue Service) will notify you by mail if you need to be contacted for any reason, not by phone or e-mail.
  • The IRS does not accept payment by Green Dot card, a pre-paid Visa card, iTunes card, etc.  They only receive payment by personal check and/or electronic transfer.
  • The FBI does not receive direct payments for anything from citizens.

Please verify the validity of any request made of you to send funds to anyone who demands it in the name of a Federal agency. 

Please call the police department if you have questions.  We would rather answer your questions than you become the victim of a scam!

Cons, Scams, and Frauds

Be aware people make a living off of your hard earned money.  Take steps to protect yourself.

  • Never give personal information over the phone
  • Never call a 900 number to claim a prize, as it requires you to pay for the call
  • Don’t crack under the pressure- stand your ground with a caller requesting this information!
  • Be wary of cheap repair work or other home improvements
  • Law enforcement will never request payments over the phone for an arrest warrant
  • The Winter Springs Police Department will not call you and solicit money for the police department.  Although the police department does participate in charity events, flyers and letters of intent are posted on social media.

Don’t be BULLIED by the caller! You have the POWER to hang up the phone or not return the call.

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