There are a few things that the IRS wants you to be aware of regarding identity theft:
1. You are expected to respond immediately if you get a notification or a letter from the IRS which makes you think someone is trying to use your Social Security Number through a hoax. You will be provided with a name, contact number and address on the notification that will be sent to you and you must contact them as soon as possible.
2. You would know that your Social Security Number was misused by a fraud if you receive a notification from the IRS stating that there was more than one tax return filed in your name.
3. Another instance when you would know you are a victim of identity theft is if you receive a letter from the IRS stating you have gotten wages from a boss who you do not know of.
4. The IRS understands the problems you face during an identity theft issue. Thus they have a department which looks into the problems of identity theft to ease matters for you. If you have reported the IRS about a theft and nothing has been done about it, you can get in touch with the IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit to proceed with matters.
5. The Identity Theft Hotline for the IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit is 800 908 4490 and they are available from Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Call for immediate assistance. Hotlines in Hawaii and Alaska follow Pacific Standard Time.
6. In case your wallet has been misplaced and you fear that there are chances of your identity being stolen, you can once again get in touch with the IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit so they can guide you regarding the steps that need to be adopted hereafter.
7. one very important thing you must be aware of is that the IRS never tries to get in touch with its taxpayers or establish any form of communication through e-mails. So if you get any e-mail or track a website that you think is faking to be the IRS, do us IRS a favour and forward the mail or the link to the website to phishing@irs.gov
8. You can log on to the official IRS website if you want to avail of the many other options and resources that IRS has got for you. Here at www.irs.gov you will be able to find information about how to report bogus IRS websites as well as other kinds of scams that you might comes across over the internet. You may also go to the IRS Identity Resource Page which you can go to by searching for Identity Theft Resource Page in the search box on the www.irs.gov home page.
9. You can also seek help from the Federal Trade Commission who are willing to help taxpayers suffering from identity theft issues. Dial 877 438 4338 to reach them from anywhere you are.
10. www.OnGuardOnline.gov is another place you can reach the technology industry and federal government to help you with tips to go about an identity theft issue.
