TAX FRAUD – IDENTITY THEFT VICTIM DISCOVERS THEFT WHEN FILING TAX RETURN

TAX FRAUD – IDENTITY THIEVES ARE STEALING TAX REFUNDS

Identity thieves are stealing tax refunds.  The IRS has identified tax fraud as a serious and fast growing problem.  The latest identity theft victim, Mike Bucalo of Ohio, had his Social Security number stolen.  The identity thieves filed a fraudulent tax return and directed the refund to a Miami, Florida bank.  Bucalo never lived in Florida, but the identity thieves used a fraudulent Florida address on the tax return.

The identity theft victim discovered the tax fraud when he attempted to file his tax return.  His tax return was rejected because according to the IRS he had already filed his return.  After filing identity theft affidavits and a police report, Bucalo will have to another year to get his tax return!

“It’s my money. I need a new roof,” he said in a phone interview with the Huffington Post. “It’s unnerving knowing that somebody is taking a piece of something that belongs to me.”

Full Story

We receive tax fraud complaints from all over the U.S.  In addition to notifying the IRS and law enforcement about the tax fraud, identity theft victims should request their free credit reports from Equifax, Experian and Trans Union.  Here are the numbers for Equifax, Experian and Trans Union to order your free report due to fraud or identity theft and request a fraud alert on your file:

Equifax: 1-800-525-6285

Experian: 1-888-397-3742

Trans Union: 1-800-680-7289

Credit report errors can be a red flag that you are a victim of identity theft.  Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, consumers have the right to dispute credit report errors.  Credit bureaus like Equifax, Experian, CoreLogic, Innovis and Trans Union must block fraudulent information in your credit report.  For more information about your identity theft rights and your rights under the Fair Credit Reporting Act contact FCRA attorney Micah Adkins 24/7 for a free case review at 1-800-263-9091.