LEAWOOD, Kan. — It’s a “taxing” rip-off, as if getting your taxes done is taxing enough!
But now something else to worry about as the tax deadline passes.
Tax season might be over, but for the victims of a tax refund scam the headache is just beginning.
“I hadn’t filed my taxes, and I got a letter from the IRS I think it was March 6th saying they received a possible fraudulent tax return using my information,” said Jim Mckim, who hadn’t filed his tax return yet!
“Somebody somehow got my social security number,” Mckim added, “Two weeks ago I got another letter from the IRS saying another tax return had been filed using my information!”
Not once, but twice, someone was pretending to be Mr. Mckim to receive his tax refund.
“It’s very disturbing, I’ll tell you that,” he said, “It’s a long process to go through to try and protect your name from criminals from who knows where using your information to obtain funds illegally.”
The Leawood Police Department says over the past two years it has seen an increase in reports filed by citizens reporting that their personal information had been used to file fraudulent tax returns. Most of these incidents are unknown to the citizen until they tried to file their taxes and were then notified by the IRS of the fraudulent return.
“Their tax returns will be seriously delayed,” said Jim.
Mckim says he’s lucky the IRS sent him letters, or else he would have never known someone was trying to be him and receive his tax refund.
“I might have had a problem when I did file my taxes, because somebody had already used my social security number,” he said.
He has since filed his own tax return, and he’s filed a police report and has contacted the Credit Bureau about the fraud.
‘It could happen to anybody, it happened to me and I’m especially careful with my social security number…it happened to my wife and I so I would imagine it could happen to anybody,” Mckim said.
Police say this scam happens every year. For tips from the IRS on how to protect yourself and what to do if you fall victim to this type of scam:
Identity theft often starts outside of the tax administration system when someone’s personal information is stolen or lost and used for refund fraud by identity thieves who file false claims for refunds.
Over the past several years the IRS has taken numerous steps to combat identity theft and protect taxpayers.
Here are links to information on IRS website, www.irs.gov.
IRS Combats Identity Theft and Refund Fraud on Many Fronts
FS-2014-1, January 2014 — Stopping identity theft and refund fraud is a top priority for the IRS. The agency’s work on identity theft and refund fraud continues to grow, touching nearly every part of the organization. For the 2014 filing season, the IRS has expanded these efforts to better protect taxpayers and help victims.
http://www.irs.gov/uac/Newsroom/IRS-Combats-Identity-Theft-and-Refund-Fraud-on-Many-Fronts-2014;
Tips for Taxpayers, Victims about Identity Theft and Tax Returns
FS-2014-2, January 2014 — Identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes nationwide, and refund fraud caused by identity theft is one of the biggest challenges facing the IRS. In 2014, the IRS continues to take new steps and strong actions to protect taxpayers and help victims of identity theft and refund fraud.
IRS Criminal Investigation Combats Identity Theft Refund Fraud
FS-2014-3, January 2014 — The IRS has seen a significant increase in refund fraud that involves identity thieves who file false claims for refunds by stealing and using someone’s Social Security number. The investigative work done by Criminal Investigation is a major component of the IRS’s efforts to combat tax-related identity theft.
http://www.irs.gov/uac/Newsroom/IRS-Criminal-Investigation-Combats-Identity-Theft-Refund-Fraud;
Watch Out for Tax Scams as Filing Season Opening Nears
IR-2014-5, Jan. 23, 2014 — With the start of the 2014 tax season approaching on Jan. 31, the IRS urges taxpayers to be aware that tax-related scams using the IRS name proliferate during this time of year.
http://www.irs.gov/uac/Newsroom/Watch-Out-for-Tax-Scams-as-Filing-Season-Opening-Nears;
Dirty Dozen Tax Scams for 2014
Tax scams peak during filing season. Don’t fall victim to any of these common illegal schemes.
IRS Criminal Investigation Issues Annual Report
IR-2014-18, Feb. 24, 2014 — IRS Criminal Investigation Division today released its annual report.
http://www.irs.gov/uac/Newsroom/IRS-Criminal-Investigation-Issues-Annual-Report;
Taxpayer Guide to Identity Theft
A one-page guide for identity theft victims
http://www.irs.gov/uac/Taxpayer-Guide-to-Identity-Theft
Identity Protection Tips
http://www.irs.gov/uac/Identity-Protection-Tips
Law Enforcement Assistance – Pilot Program on Identity Theft Activity Involving the IRS
