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Tax IDT logoIt’s tax season and tax identity thieves are eager to claim your tax refund as their own. Find out how to stop them during Tax Identity Theft Awareness Week, January 29-February 2.

The FTC and its partners are hosting free webinars and Twitter chats to talk about tax identity theft, how to reduce your risk, and what to do if it happens to you. Visit ftc.gov/taxidentitytheft to learn how to participate. Here’s what’s on tap:

  • January 29, 2 p.m. EST — The FTC and the Identity Theft Resource Center co-host a webinar for consumers about tax identity theft, IRS imposter scams, how to protect yourself, and recovery steps for victims.
  • January 30, 2:30 p.m. EST — The FTC, AARP Fraud Watch Network, AARP Foundation Tax-Aide program, and the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration invite consumers to a webinar about tax identity theft and IRS imposter scams.
  • January 31, 11 a.m. EST — The FTC and the Department of Veterans Affairs co-host a Twitter chat for service members, veterans, and their families about minimizing your risk of tax identity theft and recovering if you’re a victim.
  • January 31, 1 p.m. EST — The FTC, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration discuss tax identity theft, IRS imposter scams, and what to do if you become a victim. This is a closed webinar for Veterans Administration employees, patients, and contractors.
  • February 1, 1 p.m. EST — The FTC and IRS offer a free webinar for small businesses about tax identity theft, imposter scams that target businesses, cybersecurity, data breaches, and free resources for your business, employees and customers.
  • February 1, 3 p.m. EST — The FTC and the Identity Theft Resource Center invite consumers to join a Twitter chat about tax identity theft, its warning signs, and what to do if it happens to you.

In the meantime, the FTC has these tips to fight tax identity theft:

  • File your tax return early in the tax season, if you can.
  • Use a secure internet connection if you file electronically, or mail your tax return directly from the post office.
  • Respond to all mail from the IRS as soon as possible.
  • If tax identity theft happens to you, visit IdentityTheft.gov to report it to the FTC, file an Identity Theft Affidavit with the IRS electronically, and get a personal recovery plan.
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Unwanted Calls, Emails, and Texts
rochel w
January 24, 2018

"Acacian regarding your tax filings from the headquarters which will get expired in _⁠_⁠_ next 24 working hours and once again expired after that you will be taken under custody by the local cops as there are _⁠_⁠_⁠_ serious allegations pressed on your name at this moment we would request you to get back to us so that we can discuss about this case before taking any legal action against you the number to reach us is 470-440-3769 I repeat 470-440-3769 thank you…

Sandy eggo
January 25, 2018
Yes, Lisa Williams robo called harassing me for the 8th time in two days. Saved as contact so I let it go to voicemail. 470-481-7748 block this number and save yourself time and stress.
millerf1
January 29, 2018
Your suggestions are all worthless to protect us. Why are you accepting returns before we have the forms to file? This is about as effective as the do not call list.
Groc
January 29, 2018
They use robo-dialers... the numbers change dynamically.. If you don't know the number, let it go to voicemail!!
jfr240
February 22, 2018
IRS does not robo-phone you warning "big trouble" if you or your tax attorney doesn't call them back immediately! Ignore the call OR report it to FTC with whatever Caller ID info you can include. Have had 2 of these so far this year.
Steshakay2017
February 24, 2018
Unfortunately we were supposed to get back $7,241 and obviously it is all gone supposably we owed a couple of states DHHR and supposedly the Social Security Administration which makes obviously know why I would owe them was not even informed not even once light-second informed that we were even getting this money taking out is there anything that I could do or anyone I can speak with about it
FTC Staff
February 27, 2018

In reply to by Steshakay2017

If you think and identity thief took your information and filed a tax return and took your refund, go to IdentityTheft.gov. File an Identity Theft Affidavit with the IRS electronically, and get a personal recovery plan.

If you have questions about debts you owed to state or federal agencies you could start by contacting those agencies.

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