In a nutshell: Sometimes, identity theft involves more than just an attempt to get access to your bank account. Scammers will sometimes use identity theft for tax-related purposes, and might even file a tax return in your name. If the IRS believes this has happened, it will inform your about the problem. If you suspect that it has happened or may happen in the near future, you need to contact the IRS. Either way, you need to move as quickly as possible, to prevent as much damage being done as possible.
Sometimes, identity theft involves more than just an attempt to get access to your bank account. Scammers will sometimes use identity theft for tax-related purposes, and might even file a tax return in your name. If the IRS believes this has happened, it will inform your about the problem. If you suspect that it has happened or may happen in the near future, you need to contact the IRS. Either way, you need to move as quickly as possible, to prevent as much damage being done as possible.
If the IRS believes that a tax return filed in your name was the result of identity theft, it will send you one of three letters informing you of this. Each letter will provide you with a different means of verifying your identity. The exact form of identity verification required is entirely up to the IRS. These letters are:Letter 5071C has an online verification option.Letter 4883C has a toll free number you can call to verify your identity.Letter 5747C has a toll free number you can use to make an appointment at a nearby Taxpayer Assistance Center, where you can verify your identity in person.You will need your government-issued ID, or a scan of it, to verify your identity. You should also have a copy of your previous year's tax return and a copy of the current year's return if you have already filed one. You should also have a copy of the letter you received from the IRS, if you received one.
If you attempted to file a tax return and it was rejected because it was supposedly a "duplicate filing," you may be the victim of tax-related identity theft, and definitely need to inform the IRS about what has happened.
If you did not receive a letter from the IRS but need to inform the IRS that you identity has been stolen, skip to step 3.
Skip to step 6.
IRS Identity Theft Affidavit page
If the form's decision tree tells you to mail it with your tax return to the address you usually send your return, send it there. Otherwise, mail it to:
Department of the Treasury
Internal Revenue Service
Fresno, CA 93888-0025
Typically, once they receive your information, they will notify you in writing within 30 days. If you do not receive such notification within that time frame, contact an IRS representative and ask about your case. Make sure to have identification, a copy of any letter you have received from the IRS, and a previous year's tax return on hand when you do.
The investigation will be handled on the IRS' own timeline, there is no way to guess when it will be completed. Once the IRS has finished, it will remove any fraudulent tax returns filed in your name from your tax record. It may also send you an Identity Protection PIN to use when filing future returns. Make sure to keep it safe.
If you need to speak to a live IRS agent, call the IRS customer service center. It is open from Monday to Friday from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm EST.
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