“Fraudsters are using very clever tactics to get a hold of your personal information and submit false tax claims,” said Kathy Koestner, Vice President of Information Security, Central Bancompany. “Consumers must be suspicious of any communication from the IRS - through email, text or social media - that requests personal information, and should keep a watchful eye out for missing W-2s and mail containing sensitive financial information.”
Tax identity fraud takes place when a criminal files a false tax return using a stolen Social Security Number in order to fraudulently claim the refund. Identity thieves generally file false claims early in the year and victims are unaware until they file a return and learn one has already been filed in their name.
More information about tax identity theft is available from the FTC at ftc.gov/taxidtheft and the IRS at irs.gov/identity-theft-central.
American Bankers Association, 2017