Criminals use many methods to steal personal information from
taxpayers. They can use your information to steal your identity and
file a tax return in order to receive a refund.
Here are 10 things the IRS wants you to know about identity theft so you can avoid becoming the victim of a scam artist.
Identity thieves get your personal information by many different means,
including stealing a wallet or purse or accessing information you
provide to an unsecured Internet site. They even look for personal
information in your trash. They also pose as someone who needs
information through a phone call or e-mail.
The IRS does not initiate contact with a taxpayer by e-mail.
If you receive an e-mail scam, forward it to the IRS at phishing@irs.gov.
If you receive 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.
Your identity may be 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 your Social Security number is stolen, it may be used by another
individual to get a job. That person's employer would report income
earned to the IRS using your Social Security number, making it appear
that you did not report all of your income on your tax return.
If your tax records 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 changes to your 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, IRS Identity Theft
Affidavit.
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 SSN.
If you have previously been in contact with the IRS and have not
achieved a resolution, contact the IRS Identity Protection Specialized
Unit, 1-800-908-4490.
For more information about identity theft – including information about
how to report identity theft, phishing, and related fraudulent activity
– visit the IRS Identity Theft Resource Page, which you can find by
typing "identity theft" in the search box on the IRS.gov home page.
Richard
L. Lipton CPA & Associates LLC, located in Florham Park, N.J.,
draws on its founder’s 10 years as a stockholder and manager of
family-owned Sam’s Tire Co. in Paterson, N.J.
Richard
L. Lipton CPA & Associates LLC “is structured to personally serve
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Contact Richard L. Lipton CPA & Associates LLC:
Call: 973-520-8123
E-mail: rich@liptoncpa.com
Web: www.liptoncpa.com