Identity Theft

When your identity is stolen, it can be disastrous. A thief can use your identity to steal money, make purchases, and engage in a number of other illicit activities. Most Americans live constantly in fear of identity theft, yet it is becoming increasingly common for taxpayers to fall victim to tax scams designed to steal their identity.

There is certain information that all taxpayers should keep in mind. With these key facts, taxpayers can ensure that they correctly identify, and avoid, identity theft tax scams.

1. The IRS never communicates by email. First and foremost, remember that the Internal Revenue Service will never communicate with a taxpayer through email. If you ever receive tax-related correspondence in your email inbox - even if it claims urgency or a need for direct payment of supposed tax debt - it is advisable to consider it a scam.

For any suspicious paper correspondence, first contact the IRS first to determine if it is a legitimate correspondence. If it is legitimate, you may reply as needed. However, if it is not legitimate, contact the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration.

2. Keep alert for Social Security Number theft. Taxpayers should always carefully monitor, and keep a comprehensive record, of any correspondence with the IRS. Sometimes it may become clear due to the nature of an IRS letter that an identity thief has stolen your Social Security Number.

In particular, these suspicious letters could include alerts pertaining to unpaid taxes related to a job you do not hold. Often an identity thief may appropriate another individuals Social Security Number in order to get a job. This can then make it appear as though the real individual did not declare all of their income on their tax return.

3. Lost or Stolen Possessions. Sometimes standard theft, such as a mugging or home break-in, can make you susceptible to identity theft. This is particularly true if the thief stole a wallet that contained a driver's license or credit cards.

If you think you might be a victim of identity theft, contact the IRS as soon as possible with proof of your identity. Do not wait to receive an inaccurate letter from the IRS. Instead, ensure that the IRS knows the risk and is aware, to avoid you receiving any undue charges. Submit a copy of a valid Federal or State issued identification, or a completed Form 14039, IRS Identity Theft Affidavit.

The Lee Law Firm's tax lawyers have many years of experience in all aspects of IRS debt problems. They have extensive knowledge of unpaid tax debts, back taxes, tax audits, IRS harassment, IRS wage garnishment and IRS penalties. The attorneys at the Lee Law Firm aim to help their clients resolve their tax debt issues and regain financial freedom.

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