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Avoiding Scams: Tax Scams

Posted on March 6, 2025

Avoiding Scams: Tax Scams

Did Someone Use Your SSN to File Taxes?

Here’s What to Do

Filing your taxes should be straightforward, but identity theft can throw a wrench in the process. If someone uses your Social Security number (SSN) to file a fraudulent tax return, you might not realize it until the IRS rejects a legitimate return. While this can be alarming, acting quickly can help protect your finances and personal information.

Signs of Tax Identity Theft

  • The IRS rejects your tax return, stating one has already been filed under your SSN.
  • You receive a notice about wages from an employer you don’t recognize.
  • The IRS contacts you about an unexpected tax balance, refund offset, or collection action.

Steps to Take Immediately

  1. Report the Fraud - Visit IdentityTheft.gov to file an identity theft report with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). This will also generate an IRS Identity Theft Affidavit (Form 14039) to alert the IRS officially.
  2. Submit Your Affidavit – You can submit Form 14039 electronically through IdentityTheft.gov or mail it to the IRS.
  3. Monitor Your Credit – Consider placing a fraud alert or credit freeze with the major credit bureaus to prevent further misuse of your information.
  4. Monitor Your Credit & Financial Accounts – Review your statements for unauthorized transactions, set up fraud alerts, and check your credit reports. For an extra layer of protection, our Get More™ Checking Account includes identity theft aid, offering identity monitoring, credit monitoring, and $2,500 in identity theft benefits. If fraud happens, you’ll have expert assistance to help restore your identity and resolve payment card fraud.

Preventing Future Tax Fraud

  • File early – The sooner you file, the less opportunity scammers have to use your SSN.
  •   Enable account security – If you use tax preparation software, activate two-factor authentication for added protection.
  • Stay vigilant – Never share sensitive tax information over email and be cautious of IRS impersonation scams.

Contact Us for Support

At Citizens State Bank, we’re committed to keeping your financial information secure. If you suspect fraud on your account, need help with identity theft, or want to learn how Get More™ Checking can offer added protection, contact us today. Our team is here to help!

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