Michigan AG Urges Early Tax Filing to Combat Identity Theft
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is urging residents to file their taxes as early as possible to help prevent tax-related identity theft. Nessel is also reissuing consumer alerts to ensure residents are prepared to protect their personal information.
“During tax season, scammers take advantage of the opportunity to steal taxpayers’ money, access their personal data and commit identity theft,” Nessel said. “To protect yourself, file early and stay informed about their tactics and how to avoid common tax-season scams.”
Tax-related identity theft occurs when someone uses stolen personal information, including a Social Security number, to file a fraudulent tax return and claim another person’s refund. The IRS often notifies victims when their identity has been stolen.
Nessel’s advice for protecting yourself from tax-related identity theft includes:
- Filing your tax return early, before identity thieves can.
- Not providing your Social Security number unless necessary, and only to authorized individuals who will protect it.
- Using a secure internet connection when filing electronically.
- Sending your tax return directly from the post office if you’re filing by mail.
- Thoroughly researching a tax preparer before sharing personal information and never sending this information via text or email.
- Reviewing IRS informational guides, such as the Taxpayer Guide to Identity Theft and Identity Theft Information for Taxpayers.
Nessel is also reissuing the IRS Phone and Email Tax Scams Alert to remind consumers that the IRS will never contact taxpayers to:
- Threaten arrest.
- Request payment via wire transfer, gift card, or prepaid debit card.
- Ask for credit card information over the phone.
For residents who owe money after filing, the Debt Collectors & the IRS and Tax Debt Resolution Scams alerts provide valuable information to avoid debt collection scams. Businesses also face tax-season scams and identity theft, and Nessel encourages small- and mid-size business owners to know the signs and watch for common tactics.
Those who are victims of any type of identity theft should follow the steps recommended by the Federal Trade Commission and file a complaint.
If an individual’s Social Security number is compromised and tax-related identity theft is suspected, the IRS recommends these steps:
- Immediately contact the IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit at 800-908-4490.
- Respond promptly to any IRS notice.
- Complete the IRS Form 14039 Identity Theft Affidavit, also available online through IRS Publication 5027: Identity Theft Information for Taxpayers.
- Continue to pay your taxes and file your return, even if you must do so by paper.
- Remember that identity scammers do not actually steal your refund if a false refund is claimed and issued in your name. If you are legally entitled to a tax refund, being a verified victim of tax-related identity theft will not change that. Your refund may be delayed, but you will eventually get your refund.
To file a complaint with the Attorney General or get more information, contact the Consumer Protection Team at P.O. Box 30213, Lansing, MI 48909, call 517-335-7599, fax 517-241-3771, call toll-free 877-765-8388, or use the online complaint form.
