We verified your claim of identity theft and have placed an indicator on your account. We’ll monitor your tax account for activity to help prevent future fraud.
What you need to do
We don’t require any additional actions on your part. Please continue to file your tax returns timely.
You may want to
- Review the information at Identity Theft and Your Tax Records.
- Review Publication 5027, Identity Theft Information for Taxpayers (PDF).
- Monitor all your personal financial accounts.
- Monitor your credit report for suspicious or unauthorized activities.
Answers to common questions
What effect does the Identity Theft Indicator have on my account?
The indicator has no effect on your ability to file your tax return, make payments, or receive a refund.
What happens if someone else uses my SSN to file a fraudulent tax return?
The indicator we placed on your account will alert us to perform research to make sure a tax return filed with your SSN is valid. If we find the tax return to be invalid, we won't process it.
How long does the indicator remain on my account?
The indicator will remain on your tax account to protect it because you were a victim of identity theft, unless you specifically request that we remove it.
Who should I contact if I have more questions about my account related to identity theft?
Call 800-908-4490 for specialized assistance regarding identity theft related to your account. You can also find the number on your notice. For all other tax account related questions, contact the IRS help desk at 800-829-1040.
Where can I find more information on preventing identity theft?
- Review the information at Identity Theft and Your Tax Records.
- Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Consumer website and OnGuard Online website.
- Social Security Administration (SSA) website, Identity Theft and Your Social Security Number (PDF).
Tips for next year
File your return as you normally would. If we find someone attempting to use your SSN to file a tax return, we’ll notify you and provide you with an identity protection personal identification number (IP PIN) to use when filing your return.
Printable samples of this notice (PDF)
Tax publications you may find useful
How to get help
- Call the 800, 866 or 888 number listed on the top right corner of your notice.
- Authorize someone (such as an accountant) to contact the IRS on your behalf using Form 2848, Power of Attorney and Declaration of Representative (PDF)
- See if you qualify for help from a Low Income Taxpayer Clinic.