ID Theft - My Turn!

[TaxmannEA]

My puzzled wife gave me an envelope from Republic Bank that had a check for $7900 payable to both of us. It was our tax refund. The only problem is that we haven't filed a return yet! The bank bounced a direct deposit and sent the check to us instead. The slimeballs had everything correct except for a slight error in our address. I'm really looking forward to having this to deal with now. Of course, the return was done with Tax Act online so there's no EFIN to trace. I always thought that we were less at risk as we don't do business online and we don't even have a credit card, but obviously I was wrong. I'm in such a good mood that I almost bit the dog when I left for work this morning. Happy, Happy!

[Pacun]

Wow.. I think I will be fiing my own taxes real soon next year.

Edited April 24, 2015 by Pacun

[jklcpa]

I'm sorry you're going through this.  I don't think any of us are safe from this any more, no matter how limited our online activity or plastic card usage, not with the huge data breaches where hackers are targeting places like Anthem insurance, banks, hospitals, financial professionals, and states' revenue depts. 

[ILLMAS]

My puzzled wife gave me an envelope from Republic Bank that had a check for $7900 payable to both of us. It was our tax refund. The only problem is that we haven't filed a return yet! The bank bounced a direct deposit and sent the check to us instead. The slimeballs had everything correct except for a slight error in our address. I'm really looking forward to having this to deal with now. Of course, the return was done with Tax Act online so there's no EFIN to trace. I always thought that we were less at risk as we don't do business online and we don't even have a credit card, but obviously I was wrong. I'm in such a good mood that I almost bit the dog when I left for work this morning. Happy, Happy!

 

This is odd, the your bank is not going to accept a IRS refund direct deposit, if it bounces it bounces back to the IRS, the IRS is the one who sends out the replacement check not the bank.  The scam might be once you cash it, then they have you on the hook or something.

[TaxmannEA]

The account that the bank refused was not mine. That's why Republic issued the paper check. The name on the account was not correct.

[B. Jani]

SCAM!!!!!!!!!. I have two client who always want paper check refund in NY. This year they both got debit card and upon inquiring found out that it was not sent by NY state. I told them to call and cancel it. they did and refund check came from State of NY. Lot of refund scam going on. Be careful.

[Catherine]

We should ALL get those IRS-issued e-filing five-digit PINs.  I got them for my family; prevents your ssn from being used by others.

 

http://www.irs.gov/Individuals/Electronic-Filing-PIN-Request

[Lee B]

We should ALL get those IRS-issued e-filing five-digit PINs.  I got them for my family; prevents your ssn from being used by others.

 

http://www.irs.gov/Individuals/Electronic-Filing-PIN-Request

 

I clicked on this link and took a look at the page, which really didn't say much except as follows"

 

 

"To e-file your 2014 tax return or other electronic forms, you must verify your identity with your Self-Select PIN or your Adjusted Gross Income from your 2013 tax return. If you don't have either, you can get an Electronic Filing PIN"

 

It's unclear to me whether this pin provides any protection. I did a quick search which didn't really turn up any additional information.

 

If anyone has or can find some in depth info on this pin, I would appreciate it.

 

Thanks,

[Catherine]

YOU get the PIN.  You need info from your prior-year return, so it's you and not someone making up a number or who stole basic info.  No return can be e-filed with your ssn without that PIN.

[TaxmannEA]

SCAM!!!!!!!!!. I have two client who always want paper check refund in NY. This year they both got debit card and upon inquiring found out that it was not sent by NY state. I told them to call and cancel it. they did and refund check came from State of NY. Lot of refund scam going on. Be careful.

Not a scam. I verified the filing on IRS.gov. Return was filed 4/3/15. Refund issued 4/15/15.

[Lee B]

YOU get the PIN.  You need info from your prior-year return, so it's you and not someone making up a number or who stole basic info.  No return can be e-filed with your ssn without that PIN.

 

I have learned to be careful and a careful reading of the information on  this IRS page doesn't lead me to the same understanding.

 

That is why I would like to see more detailed information.

[Lion EA]

I read about a pilot program for people without identity problems for residents of FL, GA, and DC (I think) to get PINs.  Is this the same PIN program only expanded to anyone now?

[Lion EA]

Like - Click this link to Add this page to your bookmarks Share - Click this link to Share this page through email or social media Print - Click this link to Print this page

IRS IP PIN pilot continues in Georgia, Florida and the District of Columbia

Español

IRS YouTube Videos

ID Theft: IRS Efforts on Identity Theft: English | Spanish | ASL

IRS Identity Theft FAQ: First Steps for Victims:  English | ASL

WASHINGTON – As part of an ongoing pilot program, all taxpayers who filed federal returns last year from Georgia, Florida or the District of Columbia are eligible for an Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN) that will help protect them from tax-related identity theft, according to the Internal Revenue Service.

The pilot project is part of broader IRS efforts to combat tax-related identity theft. The IRS has an aggressive, multi-part strategy of prevention, detection and victim assistance. Stopping identity theft and refund fraud is a top priority for the Internal Revenue Service. For the 2015 filing season, the IRS continues to expand these efforts to better protect taxpayers and help victims.

Georgia, Florida and the District of Columbia were chosen for the pilot because they have higher levels of tax-related identity theft.

The IP PIN is a six-digit number that must be used on a tax return, in addition to the Social Security number, to verify the taxpayers’ identity. Once a taxpayer opts into this program, they will need to use an IP PIN for future year filings.  At this time, there is no way to opt out of the program once you sign up for an IP PIN. A new IP PIN will be mailed to the taxpayer each year before the filing season, and the current IP PIN must be used on the tax return before it will be accepted by the IRS for processing.

To opt into the program taxpayers who qualify should visit www.irs.gov/getanippin, to register and create an account. Taxpayers must also verify their identity as part of the process. You can get an IP Pin immediately even if you plan to file later in the year.

Once issued an IP PIN, taxpayers need to use it to confirm their identities on all federal income tax returns filed during the 2015 calendar year. Taxpayers will receive a new IP PIN by postal mail each year. 

Eligibility for this program does not mean the taxpayers are already victims of identity theft. The main purpose of the program is to add an additional layer of protection to taxpayers who live in areas where tax-related identity theft is more prevalent.

Learn more about the IP PIN at IP PIN FAQs for Individuals and learn more about identity theft and what the IRS is doing to combat it at IRS.gov/identitytheft. You can also read IRS Fact Sheet 2015-1, IRS Combats Identity Theft and Refund Fraud on Many Fronts, and IRS Fact Sheet 2015-2, Identity Theft Information for Taxpayers and Victims.

 

 

Page Last Reviewed or Updated: 27-Jan-2015

 

 

•  

[Lee B]

Lion,  Thanks for the additional info.

 

My take is that these appear to be two different types of PINs.

[Lion EA]

I understand what the IP PIN is meant to accomplish.  Does the other PIN do the same thing?  Something different?  What?  I have a lot of clients on extension, and me, so want to know if I should recommend this.

[mcb39]

I had a hard enough time getting pins for the victims of prior year identity theft.  They used to mail the pin to the victims.  Getting booted out of the site was getting pretty old.