Tax and Authorities Fraud Instances Spiked 68% in 2022

Northbrook, Sick. – March 30, 2023 – Taxpayers could get decrease refunds this 12 months, however that’s not stopping scammers from attempting to steal them.  

Allstate Id Safety is reporting a 68% spike in tax and authorities fraud circumstances in 2022 over 2021. Actually, tax refund fraud was the third most reported fraud kind in 2022, in keeping with the AIP Identity Fraud in Focus report. 

“We get a variety of calls about identification theft yearly throughout tax season,” stated Dustin Hofstein, Chief Service Officer at Allstate Id Safety. “Refunds are stolen when a scammer makes use of your Social Safety quantity to file a tax return. Sadly, individuals typically don’t know they’re a sufferer of tax fraud till they file their taxes, which is why we advise submitting as early as doable.” 

The IRS flagged $5.7 billion in tax fraud in 2022, and there have been almost 8 million experiences of suspicious tax-season actions. 

Allstate Id Safety is reminding individuals to be diligent and act on warning indicators early to maintain their identification and cash secure. 

5 warning indicators of tax identification theft

1. You file your taxes and so they’re declined. It is a signal a scammer has already used your Social Safety quantity to file a phony tax return. Consequently, the IRS can’t settle for your digital or paper return. 
2. IRS information don’t have your appropriate employment historical past or wages.
3. The IRS notifies you about an further tax or refund offset you weren’t anticipating.
4. You get a letter from the IRS saying your on-line account has been deactivated, 
5. You’ve been assigned an employer identification quantity you didn’t request.   

“Among the best methods to guard your self is to safeguard your Social Safety quantity,” Hofstein stated. “By no means preserve your Social Safety card in your automotive, pockets or purse, and watch out sharing your quantity, even when requested.”

Contemplate signing up for an identification safety service for additional peace of thoughts. Allstate Id Safety reimburses out-of-pocket prices for varied forms of fraud, together with stolen tax refunds.   

To be taught extra about 2023 fraud predictions and essentially the most prevalent scams of 2022, try Identity Fraud in Focus, the Allstate Id Safety quarterly report. It contains insights from tens of millions of identification theft circumstances to maintain households safer on-line.

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