What Tax Fraud Victims Can Do
Summary: Krebs on Security advises tax fraud victims to file early, report an already-filed state return to their state revenue agency, and check TurboTax accounts for fraudulently filed returns or changed bank and contact details, with affected customers able to call 800-944-8596. Victims can contact the IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit at 1-800-908-4490, which may require taxpayer-specific PINs via form 14039, and can place fraud alerts or credit freezes, which 49 states and the District of Columbia allow (Michigan is the holdout).
Bottom line: The IRS does not approve all PIN requests and the approval process is described as delayed and haphazard, so a stolen identity can outlast the paperwork meant to contain it. The same data used to file a fraudulent return in your name can be used to open new credit, which is why a freeze at all three bureaus blocks a thief from opening an account.
Read the original at Krebs on Security ↗
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