Identity theft guide for individuals | Internal Revenue Service

Identity theft guide for individuals

Act now to report, prevent and recover from tax-related identity theft.

Learn how to protect your information so no one can get your refund, file a return in your name or access your Online Account.

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Steps to take now
If you got an IRS letter, notice or fax
Warning signs
Prevention tips
Let us help

Steps to take now

If your identity was stolen:

  1. Stop interacting with the identity thief. Hang up. Don’t give them money or personal or financial information. Don’t click links, open attachments or go to websites with odd URLs. If you did, run antivirus software.
  2. Update your Online Account password. Make it complex and unique.
  3. Follow IRS instructions from your letter, notice or representative.
  4. Report identity theft.
  5. Follow recovery steps on IdentityTheft.gov.
  6. Get an identity protection (IP) PIN to protect your tax account.
  7. Keep records of letters, phone calls and emails.
  8. File returns and pay tax as usual.
  9. Check with your state tax agency for other steps.

Take additional steps for specific types of identity theft:

  1. File the deceased person’s final tax return(s) when due.
  2. Send credit bureaus a copy of the death certificate. Have them put a “deceased alert” on credit reports. Watch reports for unusual activity.
  3. Avoid putting too much information in an obituary that identity thieves could use.

A dependent is a qualifying child or relative who relies on you for financial support. Their information can be used to get a tax credit.

If your dependent’s identity was stolen: Take action now. Check if you should file Form 14039, Identity Theft Affidavit.

If your dependent was claimed on another return in the same tax year: It could be due to a misunderstanding, mistake or crime like identity theft or fraud:

Privacy laws: We can’t tell you who claimed your dependent. We can only disclose information for the return’s primary and secondary taxpayers.

Related: Dependents, Standard Deduction and Filing Information, Publication 501 PDF

Identity thieves can use your information to apply for a job. This can affect your taxes, Social Security benefits, and work history.

If you got an IRS letter, notice or fax: Immediately follow our instructions.

If you got a Form W-2 or Form 1099 from an unknown employer: Don’t put the income on your return or amend a return you’ve already filed. Contact the Social Security Administration.

If your Social Security income is more than you earned or expected: Contact the Social Security Administration.

Check if you should file Form 14039, Identity Theft Affidavit.

For details, check our guide to employment-related identity theft.

If you got an IRS letter, notice or fax

We send a letter or notice when we suspect identity theft on a return. Sometimes, getting our mail is your first sign you could be affected by identity theft.

We send a fax to verify income, withholding or employment.

Take these steps now:

  1. Verify it’s from us.
  2. Follow our instructions. If we tell you, use our Identity and Tax Return Verification Service.
  3. Get a copy of your return, if needed. Check your Online Account or call 800-908-9946. To get a copy of a fraudulent return, send us Form 4506-F.
  4. Get a form, if needed, to designate a representative or notify us you’re acting as a fiduciary. Check if you should file Form 14039, Identity Theft Affidavit.

You might also:

Accessibility: Alternative formats may be available for letters, notices and forms.

If we tell you in a letter or notice, use our Identity and Tax Return Verification Service.

Don’t file Form 14039, Identity Theft Affidavit if you use this service.

If you can’t sign in, call the number on your letter or notice.

Accessibility: Guide for the Identity and Tax Return Verification Service

Most people don’t need to file this form.

Don’t file if:

File only if:

You can file for yourself or another person, including a dependent or deceased person.

Accessibility: This form may be available in alternative formats.

Warning signs

Watch for unusual activity with your tax and Social Security accounts or personal and financial information, like:

These don’t always mean you’ve been affected by identity theft, but still be cautious.

Targets of identity theft could be you, your children, other dependents and nonfilers.

Recognize tax scams and fraud.

Prevention tips

Let us help

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