Consumer Alert

This Tax Season Watch Out for Tax-Related Identity Theft

With the approaching April 17 tax deadline, the Consumer Protection Unit of the Alaska Attorney General’s Office has received reports from Alaskans who are victims of tax related identity theft.

Tax related identity theft occurs when someone files a bogus tax return using your name, social security number, birthdate, and fictitious wage and employment information in order to collect a tax return. If you are a victim of this type of identity theft, you may not be aware of it until you attempt to file a tax return and discover two returns have been filed using your personal information.

Be alert to possible identity theft if you receive a notice from the IRS stating that:

More than one tax return was filed using your social security number;
You have a balance due or refund for a year you did not file taxes; or,
You have received wages from an employer you are not aware of.

If you are a victim of identity theft:

And you received a notice from the IRS, respond immediately to the name and number printed in the notice.
And you did not received a notice from the IRS, but you believe your records may be at risk due to stolen personal information or questionable credit activity, contact the IRS at (800) 908-4490.
Fill out an IRS Identity Theft Affidavit (IRS Form 14039) and follow the instructions on the form.

For More Information and Tips to Prevent Identity Theft

Consumer Protection Unit
April 2012