‘Tis the season when the tidings come in envelopes stamped “Important Tax Return Document Enclosed.” Yes, it’s tax filing season, and the season’s Grinches are the tax identity thieves and government imposters who are hoping to steal your money.
Find out how to stop them during Tax Identity Theft Awareness Week, February 3-7. The FTC and its partners will co-host free webinars and other events. They’ll all have information about avoiding tax identity theft, recognizing government imposters, and recovering from fraud. Some also will highlight special resources for active duty service members, older adults, and small businesses. Find an event here.
Can’t wait for Tax Identity Theft Awareness Week to begin? If you’re an active duty service member, veteran, or Veterans Administration (VA) employee, or if you’d just like to get a jump on the week’s events, join the FTC, VA, and U.S. Postal Inspection Service for a webinar at 1 p.m. on January 29. Learn how to protect yourself, and what to do if tax identity theft happens to you.
Tax identity theft happens when someone uses your Social Security number (SSN) to file a phony tax return and collect your refund. You may not find out about it until you try to file your tax return and the IRS rejects it as a duplicate filing. While the IRS investigates, your tax refund can be delayed. The misuse of your SSN means you also may be at risk of other types of identity theft.
To get tips on how to protect yourself, and to find an event to join in the coming weeks, please visit the Tax Identity Theft Awareness Week page. We hope to talk with you soon.
Source: Federal Trade Commission Consumer Information Blog, written by Seena Gressin (Attorney, Division of Consumer & Business Education, FTC) dated January 27, 2020
