Tax-related identity theft involves the theft and misuse of Social Security numbers.
It generally happens in one of two ways: someone uses a SSN to get a job and their employer reports that person’s income to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as if it were someone else’s, or someone uses the SSN to file for the person’s tax refund.
This tax season, the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) and Wisconsin Department of Revenue (DOR) are offering tips to avoid identity theft. By taking a few proactive steps to keep personal information private, people can reduce their risk of tax-related identity theft.
“Consumers should protect themselves from identity thieves, who are becoming craftier and more sophisticated every year,” said DATCP Secretary Randy Romanski. “There are many ways you can take preventative steps to keep your data safe and secure.”
Remember these tips to protect identities this tax season:
• Never store a SSN on any device that may be vulnerable to malware or data theft.
• Install a mailbox lock or have mail sent to a post office box to prevent anyone from stealing sensitive information.
• Destroy unneeded documents containing personal information, such as SSN or IRS account number, using a shredder or similar method.
• Sign up for federal and state Identity Protection Personal Identification Numbers (IP PINs) to add an extra layer of security to tax filings.
“The goal of the PIN program is to keep refunds in the right hands and out of the pockets of fraudsters,” said DOR Secretary Peter Barca. “Another important thing to keep in mind about fraud is that unless you have contacted us first, we never call people without first sending a letter. So, if you are getting a call or a text from us, but you haven’t received a letter from us, that’s a red flag for fraud. We always send letters first.”
Anyone who believes they may be the victim of tax-related identity theft should contact the DOR by phone or email as soon as possible. For those who received a notice from DOR, respond to the contact listed on the notice. Contact DOR at 608-266-2772 or DORIDTheft@wisconsin.gov for more information.
For those who confirm their identity was stolen, they should immediately inform their banks and creditors and place a security freeze on credit reports with all three major credit reporting agencies.
For more information about identity theft and additional consumer protection resources, visit DATCP’s Consumer Protection webpage at ConsumerProtection.wi.gov. DATCP’s Consumer Protection Hotline can be contacted at 800-422-7128 or DATCPHotline@wisconsin.gov.
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