IRS Warning Tax Preparers About Identity Theft
By: David Shepherd
Updated: March 13, 2012
EVANSVILLE -- The Internal Revenue Service is warning tax preparers about cases of identity theft and providing them with tips on how to deal with such cases, according to a spokesperson for H&R Block.
Tax time brings thousands of Tri-State customers to places like H & R Block each year for help getting their refund. But a new problem is popping up and it's getting the attention of the IRS.
In many cases, learning your taxes have already been filed can be alarming but it's often just a simple mistake.
Tina Eagleson, master tax advisor for H&R Block says, "You give us your social security number and you're one digit off it becomes someone elses' social and that number could have already been used so, more times than not, it's just verifying your information."
But some intentions are far more sinister.
"With the social security number, it could be just a typo but there are some problems with identity theft," says Eagleson.
The EPD says it's aware of a few similar incidents but believes locally these are just mistakes.
Mistakes and fraud could delay getting your refund check by a few weeks if not longer.
The best way to keep from becoming a victim is to always protect sensitive personal information and report any unusual activity on your accounts.
