A LaPorte woman reported receiving a letter from the IRS stating that her 2015 tax return was being held, but the IRS did not send an official letter.
The letter further stated that the IRS was holding the tax refund while reviewing her and her husband’s 2014 tax filings, according to a report from the LaPorte City Police Department. The woman told police that her husband had not yet filed his return.
The victim called IRS to question the letter. An IRS representative said someone used the couple’s Social Security numbers to file a return.
The victim had received a letter from her insurance provider, Anthem, alerting her that they had experienced a data breach and that personal information may have been stolen.
The IRS, Social Security Administration, and the Credit Reporting Bureaus were notified of the theft.
If residents run into the same problem, LaPorte officers encourage that a report be filed with law enforcement. Victims should also file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission or call the Identity Theft Hotline at 1-877-438-4338. If your Social Security Number is compromised and you know or suspect you are a victim of tax-related identity theft, complete an Identity Theft Affidavit on www.irs.gov.
If you have any questions or need to file a report, call (219) 362-9446.
