What is the first step that a taxpayer should take if their identity is stolen?

Asked by: Carmela Schulist  |  Last update: August 20, 2023
Score: 4.8/5 (50 votes)

Tax-Related Identity Theft
Respond immediately to any IRS notice: Call the number provided. If your e-filed return is rejected because of a duplicate filing under your Social Security number, or if the IRS instructs you to do so, complete IRS Form 14039, Identity Theft AffidavitPDF.

What is the first step you should take if your identity is stolen?

  1. File a claim with your identity theft insurance, if applicable. ...
  2. Notify companies of your stolen identity. ...
  3. File a report with the Federal Trade Commission. ...
  4. Contact your local police department. ...
  5. Place a fraud alert on your credit reports. ...
  6. Freeze your credit. ...
  7. Sign up for a credit monitoring service, if offered.

What four steps do you take when your identity is stolen?

These are the steps to take if your identity is stolen.
  1. File a Report With the FTC. The very first thing you should do is notify the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) that you are a victim of identity theft. ...
  2. File an Identity Theft Claim. ...
  3. Contact the DMV and IRS. ...
  4. Contact Credit Reporting Agencies. ...
  5. Notify Local Law Enforcement.

How do I file taxes if my identity was stolen?

This means that you're a victim of tax identity theft – or more specifically, stolen identity refund fraud. You follow the instructions to file your return with the IRS by mail – and attach Form 14039, Identity Theft Affidavit, to report your identity theft. You send it off to the IRS.

What happens if someone filed taxes in your name?

When you discover another a tax return has been filed with your Social Security number, you'll use IRS Form 14039 to alert the IRS. When you complete this form, you'll indicate that someone has stolen your identity and it has affected your tax account since they have filed a return using your identifying information.

Identity Theft on your Tax return... What to do.

40 related questions found

How do I report identity theft to the Federal Trade Commission?

Report Identity Theft. Report identity (ID) theft to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) online at IdentityTheft.gov or by phone at 1-877-438-4338.

What are 2 things you should do if your identity is stolen?

Sign up for credit monitoring.
  1. Notify the company or agency that issued your stolen credentials. ...
  2. Put a freeze or fraud alert on your credit. ...
  3. Report the theft to the Federal Trade Commission. ...
  4. File a report with your local law enforcement agency. ...
  5. Obtain copies of documents used to open accounts or make fraudulent transactions.

What should you do if your identity is stolen quizlet?

What should you do if you are a victim of identity theft or fraud? You should immediately notify the police, the bank, and the credit card holders.

What happens if your identity is stolen?

Call or email the fraud department of the companies, banks or credit unions where accounts have been compromised. Explain that someone stole your identity and ask them to close or freeze the compromised account.

What do I do if my identity is stolen at 14 steps?

  1. Report the Fraud to the Three Major Credit Bureaus. ...
  2. Report the Crime to the Police. ...
  3. Request Information on Fraudulent Accounts. ...
  4. Call Creditors. ...
  5. Review Your Credit Reports Carefully. ...
  6. Use the ID Theft Affidavit. ...
  7. Write to the Credit Bureaus. ...
  8. Request Additional Free Credit Reports.

What can you do to protect yourself from identity theft quizlet?

What are 4 ways you can protect yourself from identity theft? Watch your bank statments and credit card bills, Avoid identity theft on the internet-use secure websites, Review your credit record and report fraudutent activity, Protect your personal information.

Where should you file an ID theft complaint if your identity is stolen quizlet?

Report identity theft to the FTC.

What is the most common method used to steal your identity quizlet?

The most common way an identity thief can acquire information from a person is from stealing their purse or wallet and an identity thief may take a person's personal information from the internet.

How do I report identity theft in the Philippines?

If you're in the Philippines, touch base with either the Philippine National Police or National Bureau of Investigation. At NBI, you may reach them at (disclaimer: this contact details was given on 2010, may no longer work) ccd@nbi.gov.ph or call 028521-9208, local extensions 3429 (Chief) and 3497 (Staff).

What is the best way to notify a company about suspicious information that indicates identity theft?

Contact the Federal Trade Commission at 1-877-FTC-HELP, 1-877-ID-THEFT, or online at https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/?orgcode=TFMICF.

What are the three most common acts of identity theft?

The three most common types of identity theft are financial, medical and online.

What is identity theft explain techniques and types of it?

Identity theft is a crime in which an attacker uses fraud or deception to obtain personal or sensitive information from a victim and misuses it to act in the victim's name. Usually, perpetrators of such crime are motivated by their own economic gain.

What is the most common way of identity theft?

Financial identity theft.

This is the most common form of identity theft -- when someone uses another person's information for financial gain. For instance, a fraudster may use your bank account or credit card numbers to steal money or make purchases, or use your Social Security number to open a new credit card.

Which action will be least helpful if you've been the victim of identity theft?

Which action will be least helpful if you've been the victim of identity theft? Withdraw your money from all accounts. The best way to investigate fraudulent transactions on your credit card is to: Review your recent credit card statements.

What is identity theft and how can identities be stolen quizlet?

How can your identity be stolen? -Stealing your identification, credit cards, or social security card. -Making a copy of your barcode from your credit card. Criminal Identity Theft- Posing as another person when apprehended for a crime.

How can tax identity theft occur quizlet?

This Identity Theft shows itself through fraudulent tax refund claims. Criminals send these claims to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) using stolen personal details such as your social security number (SSN) and name.

Which of these actions should you take if your wallet or purse is lost or stolen?

Lost or Stolen Wallet? Here's What to Do
  1. Call Your Bank to Report Your Debit Card as Stolen. ...
  2. Call Your Credit Card Issuers to Report Your Cards as Stolen. ...
  3. File a Police Report. ...
  4. Make a List of Everything That Was in Your Wallet. ...
  5. Initiate a Fraud Alert on Your Credit Report. ...
  6. Replace Your Driver's License.

Which of the following should you do to avoid identity theft?

11 ways to prevent identity theft
  • Freeze your credit. ...
  • Safeguard your Social Security number. ...
  • Be alert to phishing and spoofing. ...
  • Use strong passwords and add an authentication step. ...
  • Use alerts. ...
  • Watch your mailbox. ...
  • Shred, shred, shred. ...
  • Use a digital wallet.

What are three steps should you take to assure you will not become a victim of identity theft?

Identity theft can happen to anyone, but you can reduce the risk of becoming a victim by taking some simple steps to protect your personal information.
  1. Keep Your Personal Information Secure. ...
  2. Monitor Your Credit Reports, Bank and Credit Accounts. ...
  3. Ask Questions Before You Share Your Information.

What do I do if someone has my Social Security number?

If you believe someone is using your Social Security number to work, get your tax refund, or other abuses involving taxes, contact the IRS online or call 1-800-908-4490.