Every American warned over ‘tax info cyber-theft’ – here’s what you need to do
TAX-RELATED identity theft can affect anyone – here's how to protect yourself.
Every year, tens of thousands of Americans fall victim to tax identity theft.
And while it's less common than other types of identity theft, it's no less impactful.
What is tax identity theft?
This type of fraudulent activity refers to someone using your personal information, including your Social Security number (SSN), to file a tax return.
And once a person has your SSN, they could also do a lot more than just claim a fraudulent refund.
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They are also able to collect benefits and income, commit crimes, make purchases, set up websites, and buy residences, all in your name.
How can I know if I've been impacted?
One way to know if you're a victim of tax identity theft is to try to file a tax return.
If the IRS rejects your return, it could be because it has been flagged as a duplicate in their system, meaning someone else filed with your information.
Tax filers are advised to use a PIN and to never share it – the IRS will automatically reject tax returns that have your information but don't input the correct PIN.
Tax filers can also lock or freeze their credit reports to help keep identity thieves from using their information to open new credit accounts.
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Furthermore, filers have the option to sign up for identity theft protection programs that can alert them if their information is compromised.
If you believe someone is using your Social Security number to get your tax refund, or anything else, contact the IRS online or call 1-800-908-4490.