Stolen tax return

[rosarugosa]

Earlier this year we were talking about how we file our taxes. I used the Free Fillable forms on the IRS website as I've done for the past few years. They are annoying, but free, and I feel strongly that I shouldn't have to pay to file my taxes. Well this year, I got an email message after I submitted, saying that a return had already been filed for that tax period for that SSN. There was information and links included, none of which was particularly helpful. I checked out the links, e-mailed, live chatted, and finally called. I was told I would have to file a paper return and that the IRS was seeing a huge number of fraudulent filings. So I filed a paper return (this was in Feb). I waited patiently for months, and then finally called in April to check on the status of my return. I was told that someone was doing something with my account, and to call again in three weeks if I hadn't heard anything. I called again in July (I was trying to be patient, and calling the IRS is very time-consuming and frustrating) and I was told that a refund check had been mailed to me in May. I was given info on the steps to take to have the matter researched.
I received a letter today with a copy of the check that had been cashed. It was really creepy! The check had been mailed to an address in GA (I live in MA). My name was signed on the back of the check (not my writing and not even spelled correctly). Below the signature was printed "pay to the order of Tevine S Evans" who is nobody I've ever heard of (and I'm not interested in protecting his/her privacy, so that's the real name). I wonder if anyone has any thoughts on how this would have happened? I don't think my computer was hacked because I do enough transactions online that I would expect to see lots of other issues. If someone actually filed under my SSN for the correct amount due to me, wouldn't that mean they had somehow seen my actual return - either an inside job at the IRS or access to the Free Fillable Forms?
I have forms to send in confirming that I did not cash the check and requesting that my refund be reissued, so I am proceeding with that. I've adjusted my withholding to minimize my return for next year, and I think I'll adjust further so that I'll owe the IRS a small amount and have no return forthcoming. I'm glad I'm not someone who had my return spent before I got it; it is earmarked for savings when it finally arrives!

[Lainey]

I'm sorry this happened to you, rosarugosa. I'm not sure how they do it either, but suspicions are that there are insiders who facilitate some of it.

This happened to my co-worker's wife, and he ended up going to the local IRS office in person to straighten it out, and that seemed to work pretty speedily for them.

Another recommendation is to file early so you can at least beat them to it.

[ToomuchStuff]

You will end up with some kind of ID/password number for future tax returns (may not be able to do electronic in the future as I am not sure the free forms have them).
Have you checked your credit reports (there are other ways they could get the information, besides internal at the IRS, such as someone at a payroll company, etc)?

This has been going up. And there is a lot of personal information already out there, let alone what people don't do that provides more. (shredding of bank statements/paycheck stubs, etc). I once picked up out of my back yard, a piece of trash from someone down the street, whose (according to the document), 14 year old daughter, had an abortion.
Lots of scary things; if you have time to learn some: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJqZxSN0FdU

[sweetana3]

After having worked for the IRS for 31 years, I can say with 99% certainty that it is not an internal problem. Meaning the IRS is not giving out SSNS or such. The issue of the frauulent use of SSNs by taxpayers often illegal immigrants is huge. It involves stolen identities and anyone can find a SSN and file in a variety of creative ways. These cases are complex and difficult to work. For years, the IRS did not provide the internal resources to "work" these cases and then it became a crisis. Very much like the fraudulent use of fake dependents was not fixed until SSNs were required for each and every dependent. Up to 10 million dependents strangely vanished.

What you have done is about all that can be done. Call (frustrating). Be specific. Document the call and any time limits given with dates etc. One day after the time limit expires call again and ask for the Taxpayer Advocate's office unless a solution is provided that you are satisfied with. Clearly state that a time limit given was not met and provide the details. Unfortunately you are one case in literally thousands............

It is easier to find issues when money like a credit card is involved but stolen SSN's are only discovered when filing tax returns, for SSecurity, or other use of the SSN like for a credit report. For many of us this is not often.

[Paige]

Clark Howard was talking about this and saying file your taxes as early as possible to avoid it. You may want to check his website out. Unlike Dave Ramsey, he provides everything for free.

[sweetana3]

The crooks know this also and their returns come in very fast.

[rosarugosa]

Thanks for the input folks. I will check out the resources mentioned.
I do always file as soon as I get all our W-2s. I attempted my first submission on 1/31/14. I'm trying to understand how someone would have all the details needed to file the return and the correct refund amount without actually seeing my return. I file jointly with my husband (who was not named on the refund check). It's not hard to imagine how someone might get my SSN, but I can't understand how someone would get all the details of our income. For example, our AGI included a small miscellaneous item that doesn't even get 1099'd.
I did pull a free credit report back in May and I just pulled another one, and everything on there seems fine. I'll need to continue watching that.

[simplelife4me]

This problem was shown on 60 minutes last night.

[rosarugosa]

Simplelife4me: Yes, we happened to catch that! I guess at least I'm not alone.

[sweetana3]

This issue is at least 25 years old. So the criminals have had 25 years to figure out the "system". I think there should be another government agency or task force created just to fix or figure out these issues. Since it does involve multiple agencies, this is what should have been done but of course this would cross agency lines, horror.

[rosarugosa]

Hey guys: just wanted to let you know that I finally got my refund check! !pow!

[iris lilies]

Hey guys: just wanted to let you know that I finally got my refund check! !pow!
Thank you for the update, I was watching this situation with interest.

[Selah]

That's great...the whole story was very scary indeed! Yikes!

[Lainey]

Very good news, rosarugosa. Just read an article in AARP magazine about identity theft, and how the 2013 statistics were even worse than 2012. And apparently thieves cruise neighborhoods and looks specifically for unlocked mailboxes to steal your info. I'll have to talk to my neighbor about us getting a locked mailbox for our adjoining houses.