Have scammers stolen your tax refund?

Here are the steps you need to take.

By David Uffington
| 7:00 a.m. May 14, 2015

Winter Park - Maitland Observer
Neighborhood

If your tax e-file was rejected or you were expecting a tax refund long before now, there's a chance that you've been the victim of identity theft. In fact, your only warning might be a notice from the IRS saying you've already filed and received your tax refund.

The letter might say that more than one return was filed with your Social Security number, or that you owe additional tax, or that they received W-2 or 1099 forms for an employer you don't know, or that your Notice of Earnings from Social Security has more income than you actually earned.

The bottom line is that it means your Social Security number has been compromised.

Here are the steps you need to take:

• Call the IRS. Use the number on the letter it sent you.

• If you received a W-2 or 1099 from an employer you don't know, call Social Security. Go over your actual earnings to be sure they match what you know to be correct.

• Call the police and file a report.

• Notify the big three credit reporting agencies and have a fraud alert put on your file: Equifax.com (1-800-525-6285), Experian.com (1-888-397-3742), TransUnion.com (1-800-680-7289).

• Complete IRS form 14039, which is the Identity Theft Affidavit. You can download that at IRS.gov.

• File a complaint with the FTC at IdentityTheft.gov.

If you get suspicious emails that you think are phishing scams about your taxes, let the IRS know. Send email to [email protected]; or call 1-800-366-4484.

For more information, go online to the IRS.gov website and search for Taxpayer Guide to Identity Theft. Also search for Publication 5027, which is Identity Theft Information for Taxpayers. Then see irs.gov/identitytheft.

For future years, the advice is to file as early in the season as possible. If someone else does attempt to use your Social Security number, your own return will already be there. Beware to whom you give your Social Security number, especially on employment applications. Provide the number only if hired.

Learn to do your own taxes using a computer software program, then print them out and send by certified mail. Keep control of your personal information. If your identity is used in an IRS tax scam, you could wait more than six months for it to be resolved and your refund to arrive.