During the 2013 tax filing season, the Internal Revenue Service has stepped up efforts to protect taxpayers against identity theft and tax refund fraud. "Taxpayers can encounter identity theft involving their tax returns in several ways. One instance is where identity thieves try filing fraudulent refund claims using another person’s identifying information, which has been stolen. Innocent taxpayers are victimized because their refunds are delayed." The IRS has increased the number of identity theft screening filters, criminal investigations, and enforcement actions. Taxpayers looking for more information can consult the
special identity protection page on IRS.gov.
Additional Resources:
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- FS-2013-2, IRS Combats Identity Theft and Refund Fraud on Many Fronts
- FS-2013-3, Tips for Taxpayers, Victims about Identity Theft and Tax Returns
