What happens if someone steals my w2?
You should also file a police report, just to get that on the record, the IRS said. After you’ve filed the police report, the IRS said, you should file IRS Form 14039, which is an Identity Theft Affidavit. You can print the form and mail it or fax it, according to the instructions.
Is it possible for someone to steal your tax return?
Tax-related identity theft occurs when someone uses your stolen personal information, including your Social Security number, to file a tax return claiming a fraudulent refund. If you suspect you are a victim of identity theft, continue to pay your taxes and file your tax return, even if you must file a paper return.
How do I stop someone from stealing my tax refund?
6 tips to lower your risk of tax identity theft
- File your returns as early as possible.
- Place a credit freeze or fraud alert on your credit file.
- Protect your personal identifying information.
- Be aware of scams.
- Choose a tax preparer you trust.
- Actively monitor your accounts.
Can someone steal my identity from my W-2?
Can they steal my tax returns? Don’t assume someone steals your w-2. It is your obligation to file a return and report your income. If for example, someone forge your identity, the irs will reasonably prove your information and correct the problem.
Can someone misuse my W-2?
Employers will send the W-2 to the address they have on file, and if it’s incorrect, it’s often because the employee didn’t notify anyone of the change in address. That means saying “I didn’t get my W-2″ isn’t an excuse for making a mistake on your tax return or missing the filing deadline.
What happens if you steal a W-2 form?
Cybercriminals who successfully steal Forms W-2 immediately attempt to monetize their thefts. Criminals may immediately attempt to file fraudulent tax returns claiming a refund. Or, they may sell the data on the Internet’s black market sites to others who file fraudulent tax returns or use the names and SSNs to create other crimes.
Can someone steal your tax refund with your Social Security number?
Technically they can’t steal your refund, they steal the Government money. However, with your SS number, they can cause a number of delays if you should file after they do. If this happens to you, you should file a 14039 (ID Thief report) the IRS will issue you an IP-PIN (a second wall to climb over to file your taxes).
Why does the IRS need my W2 number?
The W2 contains your social security number, which for some idiotic reason appears to be the key that opens a whole lot of doors. A blue-ribbon commission in Congress was set up to design a more flagrantly moronic system, but it failed to find one. They don’t even need your W2 to steal your tax refund*.
How many tax refunds have been stolen from the IRS?
The IRS estimated that during the 2013 filing season alone, over 5 million tax returns were filed using stolen identities, claiming approximately $30 billion in refunds. The IRS was able to stop or recover over $24 billion of that total, or approximately 81\% of the fraudulent claims.