Criminals use many methods to steal personal information fromtaxpayers. They can use your information to steal your identity andfile 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 youprovide to an unsecured Internet site. They even look for personalinformation in your trash. They also pose as someone who needsinformation 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 [email protected].
If you receive a letter from the IRS leading you to believe youridentity has been stolen, respond immediately to the name, address, orphone number on the IRS notice.
Your identity may be stolen if a letter from the IRS indicates morethan one tax return was filed for you or the letter states you receivedwages from an employer you don’t know.
If your Social Security number is stolen, it may be used by anotherindividual to get a job. That person’s employer would report incomeearned to the IRS using your Social Security number, making it appearthat you did not report all of your income on your tax return.
If your tax records are not currently affected by identity theft, butyou believe you may be at risk due to a lost wallet, questionablecredit card activity, or changes to your credit report, you need toprovide the IRS with proof of your identity. You should submit a copyof your valid government-issued identification – such as a SocialSecurity card, driver’s license, or passport – along with a copy of apolice report and/or a completed Form 14039, IRS Identity TheftAffidavit.
Show your Social Security card to your employer when you start a job orto your financial institution for tax-reporting purposes. Do notroutinely carry your card or other documents that display your SSN.
If you have previously been in contact with the IRS and have notachieved a resolution, contact the IRS Identity Protection SpecializedUnit, 1-800-908-4490.
For more information about identity theft – including information abouthow to report identity theft, phishing, and related fraudulent activity– visit the IRS Identity Theft Resource Page, which you can find bytyping "identity theft" in the search box on the IRS.gov home page.
RichardL. Lipton CPA & Associates LLC, located in Florham Park, N.J.,draws on its founder’s 10 years as a stockholder and manager offamily-owned Sam’s Tire Co. in Paterson, N.J.
RichardL. Lipton CPA & Associates LLC “is structured to personally servelarge and small clients who have a need for business consultingservices as well as accounting and tax services. We have even developeda niche in the area of forensic accounting. Our clients have realizedthat this combination of skills is extremely valuable in providing thehighest quality professional services in today’s and the future’seconomy.” – Richard L. Lipton CPA
Contact Richard L. Lipton CPA & Associates LLC:
Call: 973-520-8123
E-mail: [email protected]
Web: www.liptoncpa.com
