Last week, the RDTC Tax Help Blog posted a new article on tax related identity theft. You can find a section of the article below, or click here to view the full text.
Now that tax season is here, people across the country are worrying about getting their tax return prepared and filed with the IRS. However, there is another issue that taxpayers have to worry about: tax-related identity theft. Fortunately, you can prevent becoming an identity theft victim by following a few instructions. The good news is, even if your identity is stolen the IRS will work with you to resolve the matter as quickly as possible.
Increased Risk
A few years ago, Nina Olson, the National Taxpayer Advocate made the startling revelation that between 2004 and 2007, the number of tax-related identity theft problems rose by 644%.
Erroneous Returns or Stolen Refunds
If you get a notice from the IRS indicating that more than one return was filled using your social security number (SSN), you will want to contact them immediately to find out if you are a victim of identity theft. Using erroneous returns, thieves can obtain refunds from the IRS in your name, a common tactic used by tax scammers. The IRS will work with you to resolve the problem, but it is important to contact them as soon as possible.