Report someone using my US Social Security number?
September 16, 2022 8:33 PM Subscribe
Someone filed a 2020 US tax return with my social security number. Should / How should I contact the Social Security Administration?
The Social Security Administration web info seems to focus on fraud by getting inappropriate benefits. I also found some info about getting a new social security number (not really recommended for most cases, and not my focus anyway).
However, someone, I think an IRS agent, wrote a note on one of my papers about contacting them. The note didn't say why -- I think it was one of those deals where she told me something, and then wrote a minimal reminder down for me. Unfortunately, that was a long time ago.
Does anybody know anything about what's appropriate here? Is there some form, some office I should be using?
Calling the IRS is less thrilling to me now than it was. Also, not very efficient. Every time their automated system tells me that they're too busy and hangs up on me, though, I feel like I'm learning something new about the world.
Possibly irrelevant backstory; maybe I'm just venting:
So, the whole IRS mess that this question hinted at has turned into a full-fledged dystopian bureaucratic stress dream. They think I owe them approximately five thousand dollars. Etc.
At one point, I think in 2021, I actually managed to make an appointment at the Raleigh IRS office (officially "Taxpayer Assistance Center"). Hence the note, written on a fraud info handout, while I was sitting at the desk during that appointment.
Short version: someone filed a 2020 tax return using my info, connected it to a bank account in a totally different city, and then that bank account received my stimulus payments. So clever. Their tax return stated an income that was much higher than my actual income for 2020, though, so the IRS thinks I owe them tax on money I never earned.
Yes, I have filed a fraud form with the IRS. I think I'm about halfway through the current average wait time for them handling this (~360 days). Fortunately, the IRS has put an[other] hold on their collections process -- for 60 days! So, I'll try to get through the phone system then to get another hold put on the account.
It's been... a time consuming adventure. Yes, I found the constituent services info for my congressperson. Ugh.
The Social Security Administration web info seems to focus on fraud by getting inappropriate benefits. I also found some info about getting a new social security number (not really recommended for most cases, and not my focus anyway).
However, someone, I think an IRS agent, wrote a note on one of my papers about contacting them. The note didn't say why -- I think it was one of those deals where she told me something, and then wrote a minimal reminder down for me. Unfortunately, that was a long time ago.
Does anybody know anything about what's appropriate here? Is there some form, some office I should be using?
Calling the IRS is less thrilling to me now than it was. Also, not very efficient. Every time their automated system tells me that they're too busy and hangs up on me, though, I feel like I'm learning something new about the world.
Possibly irrelevant backstory; maybe I'm just venting:
So, the whole IRS mess that this question hinted at has turned into a full-fledged dystopian bureaucratic stress dream. They think I owe them approximately five thousand dollars. Etc.
At one point, I think in 2021, I actually managed to make an appointment at the Raleigh IRS office (officially "Taxpayer Assistance Center"). Hence the note, written on a fraud info handout, while I was sitting at the desk during that appointment.
Short version: someone filed a 2020 tax return using my info, connected it to a bank account in a totally different city, and then that bank account received my stimulus payments. So clever. Their tax return stated an income that was much higher than my actual income for 2020, though, so the IRS thinks I owe them tax on money I never earned.
Yes, I have filed a fraud form with the IRS. I think I'm about halfway through the current average wait time for them handling this (~360 days). Fortunately, the IRS has put an[other] hold on their collections process -- for 60 days! So, I'll try to get through the phone system then to get another hold put on the account.
It's been... a time consuming adventure. Yes, I found the constituent services info for my congressperson. Ugh.
Social Security and the IRS are different agencies, so you have filed a form with the IRS but you have not informed the SSA of anything at this point, correct? I would make an appointment with the SSA completely separate from your dealings with the IRS - and they are likely to be much easier to contact. Go to their website www.ssa.gov and make yourself an account. Then make an appointment at a local office.
Maybe they can put a fraud flag on your number, or find out if the person who files your return is also using the number to work under.
posted by soelo at 9:43 PM on September 16, 2022 [2 favorites]
Maybe they can put a fraud flag on your number, or find out if the person who files your return is also using the number to work under.
posted by soelo at 9:43 PM on September 16, 2022 [2 favorites]
In addition to dealing with IRS and SS, perhaps contact your Congressperson's office to see if they can help navigate through some of the red tape. If you have any idea about who did it, or some clues about it, might be able to contact the FBI as well because it is definitely a federal crime
posted by TimHare at 11:09 PM on September 16, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by TimHare at 11:09 PM on September 16, 2022 [1 favorite]
This happened to me in the early days of SS/electronic filing fraud (2013/14). Someone stole my SS# and filed a return electronically, collecting a hefty refund that was applied to a Visa debit card. If you haven't already done so, freeze your credit with TransUnion, Equifax, etc. "Fortunately," the thief/thieves only used it for the tax filing and not anything else.
It took me a bit to understand what happened, delaying the investigation by 6 weeks. It took 11 months to straighten it out. I was paid 3% interest on the refund I was owed, so a small bright spot for you may be that you get a little more money when it's ironed out.
I agree with the advice to schedule an appointment with SSA. They're very helpful in person and it's much easier to get in touch with them. My earnings were not impacted by the fraud perpetrated against me, but I did periodically check my account to make sure.
I talked to helpful IRS agents and terrible IRS agents. I'd call from my office phone, put it on speaker, and wait for hours before I'd talk to a person. It was maddening and I'm so sorry you're experiencing this. The current shortage of trained personnel is delaying things, but have hope, because it WILL get worked out.
posted by XtineHutch at 6:01 AM on September 17, 2022 [2 favorites]
It took me a bit to understand what happened, delaying the investigation by 6 weeks. It took 11 months to straighten it out. I was paid 3% interest on the refund I was owed, so a small bright spot for you may be that you get a little more money when it's ironed out.
I agree with the advice to schedule an appointment with SSA. They're very helpful in person and it's much easier to get in touch with them. My earnings were not impacted by the fraud perpetrated against me, but I did periodically check my account to make sure.
I talked to helpful IRS agents and terrible IRS agents. I'd call from my office phone, put it on speaker, and wait for hours before I'd talk to a person. It was maddening and I'm so sorry you're experiencing this. The current shortage of trained personnel is delaying things, but have hope, because it WILL get worked out.
posted by XtineHutch at 6:01 AM on September 17, 2022 [2 favorites]
Response by poster: Thanks, everybody. Xtine, you're right that the agents are of various personability levels. The most recent one spent most of her energy emphasizing that I still owe them X amount and that interest and penalties are accruing.
posted by amtho at 7:47 AM on September 17, 2022
posted by amtho at 7:47 AM on September 17, 2022
Seconding constituent services provided by you representative in Congress. They specialize in knowing how to penetrate government bureaucracies, and it is their job to help you.
posted by Winnie the Proust at 8:16 AM on September 17, 2022
posted by Winnie the Proust at 8:16 AM on September 17, 2022
So, to understand the situation correctly...
* You have not filed a tax return for many many years
* You did not receive a stimulus check
* When you inquired about it, you found that someone had filed a tax return for 2020 in your name, but to a different address. As a result the stimulus check went to that person.
* IRS has, based on that fictitious tax return, decided that you owe them X dollars in taxes.
You have been the victim of identity theft fraud, and you need to treat yourself as such. FTC actually has a website on this that contains step by step guide on what to do next.
https://www.identitytheft.gov/#/
And you need to do this ASAP, to get the IRS to back off permanently. You are a victim both from the fraud AND now a fictitious return filed in your name.
Your congressperson's contact will help, but you need to do other things as you need to investigate if your damage is limited to the IRS only, or has that thief messed with other parts of your credit.
posted by kschang at 10:07 AM on September 17, 2022 [1 favorite]
* You have not filed a tax return for many many years
* You did not receive a stimulus check
* When you inquired about it, you found that someone had filed a tax return for 2020 in your name, but to a different address. As a result the stimulus check went to that person.
* IRS has, based on that fictitious tax return, decided that you owe them X dollars in taxes.
You have been the victim of identity theft fraud, and you need to treat yourself as such. FTC actually has a website on this that contains step by step guide on what to do next.
https://www.identitytheft.gov/#/
And you need to do this ASAP, to get the IRS to back off permanently. You are a victim both from the fraud AND now a fictitious return filed in your name.
Your congressperson's contact will help, but you need to do other things as you need to investigate if your damage is limited to the IRS only, or has that thief messed with other parts of your credit.
posted by kschang at 10:07 AM on September 17, 2022 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: The thing is, I've already filed an affidavit of probable fraud or whatever it's called -- months ago! It's just that the backlog in the IRS is currently about a year to even get it looked at. Meanwhile, the hold on pursuing me as a non-payer is (currently, this is my second hold) only 60 days.
BTW they don't give you notice when the hold runs out.
And there is never any guarantee that you can talk to anyone if you have a problem.
- side notes -
I already have the constituent services form open; I just have to write the "this is what happened" section, concisely, when I have the time.
Also, the way I found was when the IRS started sending me letters saying I owed them thousands of dollars; not before that, unfortunately.
Also, I did freeze my credit credit already.
posted by amtho at 1:40 PM on September 17, 2022
BTW they don't give you notice when the hold runs out.
And there is never any guarantee that you can talk to anyone if you have a problem.
- side notes -
I already have the constituent services form open; I just have to write the "this is what happened" section, concisely, when I have the time.
Also, the way I found was when the IRS started sending me letters saying I owed them thousands of dollars; not before that, unfortunately.
Also, I did freeze my credit credit already.
posted by amtho at 1:40 PM on September 17, 2022
It is easy to make an appointment and physically visit with Social Security in most towns or nearby cities. Bring your proof. There is also The FBI. You are.talking a federal crime.
posted by Oyéah at 5:48 PM on September 17, 2022
posted by Oyéah at 5:48 PM on September 17, 2022
This thread is closed to new comments.
I do know in some cases they will give you a new ss#.
posted by JohnnyGunn at 9:29 PM on September 16, 2022