How to Protect Yourself Against Tax Identity Theft

And you thought Valentine’s Day is the only event happening in February!

Learn how to protect yourself from tax identity theft during Tax Identity Theft Awareness Week (February 3-7). You’ll also find helpful resources from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) on the Tax Identity Theft Awareness Week webpage. The FTC will provide webinars and other resources throughout the week to help educate the public on how to protect against identity theft this tax season. Also, consider sharing these helpful resources with your employees and friends.

Tax identity theft happens when someone uses your Social Security number (SSN) to file a phony tax return and collect your refund. You may not find out about it until you try to file your tax return and the IRS rejects it as a duplicate filing. While the IRS investigates, your tax refund can be delayed. The misuse of your SSN means you also may be at risk of other types of identity theft.

Additionally, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) encourages taxpayers, businesses, and tax professionals to review the FTC announcement and the following resources for more information:

• CISA’s Tip on Preventing and Responding to Identity Theft
• FTC’s article on Tax-Related Identity Theft
• Internal Revenue Service’s Taxpayer Guide to Identity Theft

Safeguard yourself by taking the necessary precautions and report any potential tax identity issue to the IRS.