Identity theft occurs when someone obtains your personal information - such as your social security number, credit card or bank account numbers, passwords, etc. to defraud or commit crimes. You might be a victim of identity theft if:

• Someone else has filed a tax return in your name;
• You have an overdue balance or collection action from a year you did not file a tax return;
• You find confirmed IRS records of wages from an employer you never worked for.

IDENTITY THEFT PREVENTION TIPS:

Taxes. Security. Together.

The Security Summit launched an awareness campaign www.irs.gov/individuals/taxes-security-together to better inform you about the need to protect your personal, tax and financial data online and at home. People continue to fall prey to clever cybercriminals who trick them into giving up Social Security numbers, account numbers or password information. In turn, criminals use this information a variety of ways, including filing fraudulent tax returns.

Protect Yourself from Identity Theft

Identity thieves have many ways to obtain your personal information. However, there are a number of precautions you can take to minimize your risk. This video provides five tips you can use to protect yourself against identity theft and fraud.

Other Resources

• Identity Theft.gov (Federal Trade Commission)
• Recovering from Identity Theft (Federal Trade Commission)
• IRS Identity Protection Tips (IRS)
• Protecting Your Investment (Social Security Administration)
• Identity Protection: Prevention, Detection and Victim Assistance (IRS)
• FTC: Tax-Related Identity Theft (Federal Trade Commission)

If you were affected by the IRS Get Transcripts breach, please know that we have taken internal steps within our system, noting that you were affected by the IRS Get Transcripts data breach. You will automatically be notified when ALDOR receives a tax return that has been filed using your Social Security number, alerting you to the possibility that criminals have your information and are using it to steal money from you and the state. You will be sent a verification code and will be asked to verify whether or not you filed a return by going to My Alabama Taxes and clicking on the "Verify My Return" link.

• Respond immediately to any notice received from ALDOR; follow the notice instructions or call the number provided.
• If you have not received a notice, contact our Compliance Unit at 334-353-9770.
• Complete Form INV ID1 - Identity Theft Affidavit and mail to the address on the form.
• Continue to pay your taxes and file your tax return, even if you must do so by paper. Include with the paper return: the Identity Theft Affidavit; a copy of your picture ID (driver's license or non-driver's ID); and one additional form of identification, such as a utility bill or bank statement.

Once your return is accepted by ALDOR, you may be asked to complete a five-minute ID Confirmation Quiz. The ID Confirmation Quiz is part of an effort designed to protect your identity and your tax refund. Once you have completed the quiz and your identity has been confirmed, ALDOR will continue processing your tax return. Those taxpayers asked to take the quiz will receive notification by mail sent to the address on the return. The notification will include specific instructions for completing the quiz.

Tax-related identity theft occurs when someone uses your stolen Social Security number to file a tax return claiming a fraudulent refund. Generally, a criminal will use your SSN to file a false return early in the year. You may be unaware you are a victim until you receive a notice from ALDOR or try to file your taxes and learn one already has been filed using your SSN.

If you have registered at My Alabama Taxes and have access to your Individual Income Tax account, you can opt-in to a service that will notify you when ALDOR receives Individual Income Tax returns that have been filed using your Social Security number. This service can help alert you to the possibility that criminals have your information and are using it to steal money from you and the state. You can opt-in by logging into your My Alabama Taxes account and following the link "Notify Me of Filed Returns."

My Alabama Taxes is the convenient and secure way to access a variety of ALDOR's online services. In My Alabama Taxes you can quickly and easily file tax returns, make payments, view letters, manage your accounts, and conduct other common transactions with ALDOR.