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DATCP Discusses Tax-Related Identity Theft

Tuesday, January 30th, 2024 -- 12:01 PM

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Tax-related identity theft involves the theft and misuse of your Social Security number (SSN).

It generally happens in one of two ways: someone uses your SSN to get a job and their employer reports that person’s income to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as if it were yours, or someone uses your SSN to file for your tax refund.

You may not even know your identity has been stolen until the IRS informs you of the unreported income or multiple tax return filings. This tax season, the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) and Wisconsin Department of Revenue (DOR) are here to help.

By taking a few proactive steps to keep your personal information private, you can reduce your risk of tax-related identity theft. Remember these tips to protect your identity this tax season:

  • Never store your SSN on any device that may be vulnerable to malware or data theft;
  • Install a mailbox lock or have your mail sent to a Post Office (PO) Box™ to prevent anyone from stealing sensitive information;
  • Destroy unneeded documents containing personal information, such as your SSN or IRS account number, using a shredder or similar method;
  • Sign up for federal and state Identity Protection Personal Identification Numbers (IP PINs) to add an extra layer of security to your tax filings.

If you believe you may be the victim of tax-related identity theft, contact DOR by phone or email as soon as possible. If you received a notice from DOR, respond to the contact listed on the notice.

If you did not receive a notice or have concerns about the validity of a notice, contact DOR at (608) 266-2772 or [email protected]. Instructions for reporting tax-related identity theft to the IRS are available on their webpage.

If you confirm your identity was stolen, immediately inform your bank(s) and creditor(s) of your stolen identity and place a security freeze on your credit report with all three major credit reporting agencies.

For more information about identity theft and additional consumer protection resources, visit DATCP’s Consumer Protection webpage at ConsumerProtection.wi.gov. DATCP’s Consumer Protection Hotline can be contacted at (800) 422-7128 or [email protected].

Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.