Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is advising residents to file their taxes early to prevent tax-related identity theft. She has reissued consumer alerts for the tax season to help protect personal information.
"During tax season, scammers take advantage of the opportunity to steal taxpayers’ money, access their personal data, and commit identity theft," Nessel stated. "To protect yourself, file early and stay informed about their tactics and how to avoid common tax-season scams."
Tax-related identity theft occurs when someone uses stolen personal information, such as a Social Security number (SSN), to file a fraudulent tax return and claim another person's refund. The IRS often notifies victims first when such incidents occur.
Nessel advises filing your tax return early, safeguarding your SSN, using secure internet connections for electronic filing, mailing returns directly from the post office, thoroughly researching tax preparers, and avoiding sending personal information via text or email. She also recommends reviewing IRS guides like the Taxpayer Guide to Identity Theft.
The Attorney General's office is also reminding consumers that the IRS will never threaten arrest or request payment through wire transfers or gift cards. For those who owe money after filing, additional alerts provide information on avoiding debt collection scams.
Businesses are advised to be vigilant against scams and identity theft during the tax season and throughout the year.
For victims of identity theft, Nessel suggests following Federal Trade Commission steps and filing complaints if necessary. If an SSN is compromised with suspected tax-related identity theft, consumers should contact the IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit immediately and follow specific procedures outlined by the IRS.
Even if a false refund is issued in someone's name due to identity theft, verified victims will eventually receive any entitled refunds despite potential delays.
Residents seeking further assistance can contact the Consumer Protection Team in Lansing or use available online resources for complaints and additional information.