Take steps to limit damage and protect yourself from further loss if you lost money or personal information to a scammer.
On this page
Protect your finances
Protect your tax information
Take action on specific scams or fraud
Report the scam
Stay alert
Get support
Protect your finances
If you’re a victim of monetary or identity theft:
- Immediately stop interacting with the scammer
- Don’t send money or share personal information
- Contact your financial institution
- Follow the steps on IdentityTheft.gov
Protect your tax information
Get an Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN) to prevent scammers from filing a tax return in your name.
Set up an IRS tax account. Your account is securely protected with multifactor authentication. Nobody can view your account unless you authorize them. You can monitor your tax account activity anytime.
If your identity was stolen
If your Social Security number (SSN) or individual tax identification number (ITIN) was stolen:
- Report it to IdentityTheft.gov
- Report it to us
- Consider reporting it to your state tax agency
Learn more about tax-related identity theft.
Take action on specific scams or fraud
If you received a notice from the IRS
- Make sure it's really from us
- Follow the instructions in the letter. Keep records of all contacts and copies of any letters you send.
- File your tax return and pay any taxes you owe. If your return is rejected because someone already filed with your Social Security number (SSN) or individual tax identification number (ITIN), report it to us.
- If these steps don't resolve your situation, call 800-908-4490, 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Eastern time
If someone used your information to:
- File a tax return – Get a copy of the return and submit Form 14039, Identity Theft Affidavit online or mail Form 14039 PDF
- Claim your dependent – Find out what to do when someone fraudulently claims your dependent
- Get a job or income – Find more about employment-related identity theft
- Get an employer identification number (EIN) – Find out what to do if you’re assigned an EIN you did not request
If your tax return preparer committed fraud with your information
If you followed bad tax advice
You can amend your return or file a past due return.
If your spouse filed a fraudulent return without your knowledge
If your spouse understated or underpaid taxes on your joint tax return without you knowing, you can file for:
If you're a veteran, servicemember, family member or caregiver
Find information on scams that target veterans, servicemembers and their families or caregivers at VSAFE.
Report the scam
Stay alert
Some scam victims get scammed again. Be cautious if someone offers to help you get your money back.
Get support
We can help you if you’re a tax scam or fraud victim:
- Learn how IRS identity theft victim assistance works.
- Contact the Taxpayer Advocate Service. They’re an independent organization within the IRS that helps taxpayers and protects their rights.
Related
Tax scams: What to know, what to do
Choose a tax return preparer
Penalty relief
Department of Justice, Office for Victims of Crime: Help for victims
Commodity Futures Trading Commission: 6 Steps to take after discovering fraud
Federal Trade Commission: What to do if you were scammed