Action Steps for Recovery from Identity Theft

Identity theft is an evolving global threat. We understand your concerns with identity theft and take every precaution to keep your personal information safe. There are numerous types of identity theft. For example, a thief could steal a wallet and use credit cards to make illegal purchases or obtain information to file a tax return on behalf of a taxpayer to claim an illegal refund.

Should you become a victim of any type of identity theft, the following checklist will assist you in navigating the process. It outlines specific steps you should take to help mitigate the damage of identity theft: closing credit cards, filing a police report, filing a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), addressing matters with the IRS, and more.

For tax-related identity theft matters, we are here to help. Assistance may involve contacting the IRS to make sure your payments are properly credited to your account, helping to retrieve a refund issued to the wrong person or responding to IRS notices. Feel free to call our office to discuss your situation and see how we can be of service.

ACTION STEPS:

Companies where you know fraud occurred (including debt collectors)

1. Contact the fraud department of each company where the fraud occurred and explain that your identity was stolen. Ask them to freeze or close the account and not add any new charges unless you agree. Document your phone conversation, including the name of the person with whom you speak. Also, ask them to send you a letter confirming you are not liable for the fraudulent activity.
2. Change your logins and passwords, as applicable.
3. Note: You may need to contact these companies again after you receive an Identity Theft Report from the FTC.

Credit Agencies

1. Report the identity theft to the fraud department of one of the following reporting agencies as soon as possible. They must notify the other two agencies.
   1. Equifax: equifax.com
   2. Experian: experian.com
   3. TransUnion: transunion.com
2. Request a copy of your credit report and that only the last four digits of your Social Security Number be placed on the report.
3. Inform the credit bureaus and the credit issuers (in writing) of any fraudulent accounts and incorrect information.
4. Obtain replacement credit cards with new, secure account numbers and destroy any old cards.
5. Notify those who have received your credit report in the last six months to alert them to any disputed, fraudulent, or incorrect information.
6. Ask for a free, one-year fraud alert by contact one of the three credit bureaus. That company must inform the other two. You will get a letter from each credit bureau that will confirm they placed a fraud alert on your file.
7. Request and confirm that an extended fraud alert (seven years) is placed on your credit report.

Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

1. Report the crime to the FTC. Note: The FTC has overhauled the process for helping victims of identity theft.
2. Go to Identitytheft.gov to report identity theft. Based on information you provide, Identitytheft.gov will create your Identity Theft Report and recovery plan.

Local police

1. Report the crime to your local police or sherrif’s department. Make sure to provide as much documented evidence as possible.

Health insurance providers

1. Contact your health insurance company if your insurance card was accessed or stolen to help prevent the thief from using your insurance. Similarly, notify Medicare if your Medicare card was accessed or stolen.

Internal Revenue Service (IRS)

1. Contact the IRS to report tax-related identity theft. This will alert them to any refund claim or other activity on your account. File IRS Form 14039, Identity Theft Affidavit.
   1. Call the IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit (IPSU) at (800) 908-4490. Contact your CPA with any questions.
   2. If you’re a confirmed victim of tax-related identity theft, the IRS will mail you a letter with your Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN). It’s important to keep pthis letter and provide a copy to your CPA. You may also request an IP PIN as a proactive measure to protect yourself against tax-related identity theft. See Get An Identity Protection PIN on irs.gov.
   3. Contact your CPA with any questions and for help filing Form 14039 or obtaining an IP PIN.

State tax agencies

1. Contact applicable state tax agencies to report related thefts and identity theft issues. Some agencies may require a police report and/or the IRS affidavit.

Utilities and brokers

1. Contact your local utility providers (gas, electric, cable, internet, cellular carrier, etc.) to make sure no new accounts were opened in your name. Similarly, let your investment or retirement account company know your identity documents were stolen so they will be alert to any suspicious activity on your account.

Other agencies and organizations

1. For U.S. mail fraud, contact your local postal inspector.
   1. Online: uspis.gov/report
   2. Phone: (877) 876-2455
2. For Social Security Number misuse (non-IRS issues): Check your earnings record to make sure no one is using your identification number to obtain work. Call your local Social Security Administration (SSA) office if something looks inaccurate.
3. Contact the SSA Inspector General to report Social Security benefit fraud, employment fraud or welfare fraud.
   1. Online reporting resources:
      1. oig.ssa.gov
      2. Fraud Reporting Form
   2. SSA fraud hotline: (800) 269-0271
   3. Appy for a replacement Social Security card if your card was lost or stolen.
4. If your driver’s license was lost or stolen, contact the nearest Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) branch to report it.
5. If your passport was lost or stolen, call the State Department at (877) 487-2778