ID Theft and Tax Fraud

WHAT IS ID THEFT?
Identity theft and identity fraud are terms used to refer to all types of crime in which someone wrongfully obtains and uses another person's personal data in some way that involves fraud or deception, typically for economic gain.

WHAT IS TAX FRAUD?
Tax fraud occurs when an individual or business entity willfully and intentionally falsifies information on a tax return in order to limit the amount of tax liability. Tax fraud essentially entails cheating on a tax return in an attempt to avoid paying the entire tax obligation.

WHAT DO I DO IF I AM A VICTIM OF IDENTITY THEFT?
Put a fraud alert on your credit report
Ask to have your credit frozen/thawed for up to 7 years
Contact any institution directly affected
ID Theft Advice for Citizens
Contact the Federal Trade Commission
File an Identify Theft Affidavit and create an Identify Theft Report
File a Police report
Protect your social security number

IRS TAX SCAMS OF 2015
Fake Charities
Filing Fake Documents to Hide Income
Hiding Money or Income Offshore
Identity Theft
Inflated Refund Claims Remain
Phishing
Phone scams
Return Preparer Fraud

FLORIDA RESIDENTS ELIGIBLE FOR IDENTITY PROTECTION PIN (IP PIN)
All taxpayers who filed federal returns last year from Georgia, Florida or the District of Columbia are eligible for an Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN) that will help protect them from tax-related identity theft, according to the Internal Revenue Service.

The IP PIN is a six-digit number that must be used on a tax return, in addition to the Social Security number, to verify the taxpayers’ identity. Once a taxpayer opts into this program, they will need to use an IP PIN for future year filings. At this time, there is no way to opt out of the program once you sign up for an IP PIN. A new IP PIN will be mailed to the taxpayer each year before the filing season, and the current IP PIN must be used on the tax return before it will be accepted by the IRS for processing.

To opt into the program taxpayers who qualify should visit www.irs.gov/getanippin, to register and create an account. Taxpayers must also verify their identity as part of the process. You can get an IP Pin immediately even if you plan to file later in the year.

For more information, click here.

MEDIA CLIPS
Seminole Financial Crimes Task Force offers tips to help prevent tax return fraud

Woman accused of stealing identities to get $400K in tax returns

RESOURCES
Internal Revenue Service
Federal Trade Commission

For more information, contact the Seminole Financial Crimes Investigators at 407-665-6850.