Taxpayers need to be careful to protect their personal information. Identity
thieves use many methods to steal personal information and then they use the
information to file a tax return and get a refund. Here are 10 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 a taxpayer by e-mail.
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/tools/
recognize-secure-site-using-
ssl.aspx
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.
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 name, address or phone number on the IRS
notice.
8. If your financial records or tax records if you will,
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 Form 14039, Identity Theft
Affidavit. 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
home page.
This income tax advice is brought you for your knowledge if anyone
should steal your identity. If you have other questions on this or other income
tax questions call me at 573-341-5578 or email me at appropriate place on
this site.
