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. On this page 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: 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. Update your Online Account password. Make it complex and unique. Follow IRS instructions from your letter, notice or representative. Report identity theft. Follow recovery steps on IdentityTheft.gov. Get an identity protection (IP) PIN to protect your tax account. Keep records of letters, phone calls and emails. File returns and pay tax as usual. Check with your state tax agency for other steps. Take additional steps for specific types of identity theft: Deceased person identity theft File the deceased person’s final tax return(s) when due. Send credit bureaus a copy of the death certificate. Have them put a “deceased alert” on credit reports. Watch reports for unusual activity. Avoid putting too much information in an obituary that identity thieves could use. Dependent identity theft 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: Before you file, determine who can claim the dependent. Make sure the dependent’s information is correct on the return. If we find duplicate claims, we notify you by mail or error message if e-filing. Immediately follow our instructions. If we tell you or if you want us to check who can claim the dependent, complete a paper return. Include supporting documents PDF, and mail us your return package. Return processing takes 6 to 8 weeks, then we’ll look into the claim. This will delay any refund. If we audit your claim, you’ll need to provide proof you can claim the dependent PDF. We’ll make a determination, then assess any tax, penalties or interest on the person who made the incorrect claim. 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 Employment identity theft 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: Verify it’s from us. Follow our instructions. If we tell you, use our Identity and Tax Return Verification Service. 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 4506F. 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: Report identity theft. Get an identity protection PIN (IP PIN). Check your refund. Find how long it’s taking to process forms and returns. Learn about our Identity Theft Victim Assistance Program. Accessibility: Alternative formats may be available for letters, notices and forms. Identity and Tax Return Verification Service 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 Identity Theft Affidavit, Form 14039 Most people don’t need to file this form. Don’t file if: You already sent it to us or filed it through IdentityTheft.gov. We already sent you a letter or notice. The identity theft isn’t tax-related. You used or we tell you to use the Identity and Tax Return Verification Service. You’re a business, trust, estate or tax-exempt organization. Use Form 14039-B, Business Identity Theft Affidavit PDF. Check the Identity theft guide for businesses. File only if: We tell you. You can’t use the Identity and Tax Return Verification Service. You want to tell us about possible tax-related identity theft we don’t have on file, like a data breach. 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: Tax return rejected Form W-2 or Form 1099 from employer you didn’t work for Form 1099-G unemployment benefits you didn’t get or apply for Employer identification number (EIN) you didn’t apply for Unreported income alert, like a CP2000 series notice Someone wanting to “help” with your Online Account Accounts created or accessed that you didn’t create or access Alerts about password resets or log-in verifications Data breach leaked your information. Consider filing Form 14039, Identity Theft Affidavit. Social Security account shows wages you didn’t earn or expect 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 Be cautious. Stay calm and act fast if you suspect identity theft. Get an identity protection PIN (IP PIN). It keeps someone else from filing a return with your taxpayer identification number (TIN). Secure your Online Account. Use a complex, unique password. Protect personal and financial information including Social Security numbers, account usernames, passwords and data for dependents and deceased persons. Monitor accounts and reports for taxes, Social Security, credit and finances. Let us help To verify your identity and tax return status, call us at 800-908-4490. We can’t give your refund status or other tax information at this number. For tax account answers, call 800-829-1040. To verify your notice or letter, search for it online or call us at 800-829-1040. Find an IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center. Contact the Taxpayer Advocate Service. Publications Identity Theft, Publication 5423 PDF Identity Theft Information for Taxpayers, Publication 5027 PDF Security Awareness for Taxpayers, Publication 4524 PDF Tax Preparer Guide to Identity Theft, Publication 5199 PDF Disponible en español Concientización sobre la seguridad para los contribuyentes, Publicación 4524 (SP) PDF Información de robo de identidad para los contribuyentes, Publicación 5027 (SP) PDF Videos Avoid phishing emails Easy steps to protect your computer and phone Get an identity protection PIN Protect your identity Security measures help protect against tax-related identity theft Related Get an identity protection PIN (IP PIN) Report identity theft Tax scams: What to know, what to do Identity theft guide for businesses Identity theft guide for tax professionals Security Summit Veterans and identity theft
