IRS says thieves stole tax info from additional 220,000

I

imp

Senior Member
"WASHINGTON (AP) -- A computer breach at the IRS in which thieves stole tax information from thousands of taxpayers is much bigger than the agency originally disclosed.
An additional 220,000 potential victims had information stolen from an IRS website as part of a sophisticated scheme to use stolen identities to claim fraudulent tax refunds, the IRS said Monday. The revelation more than doubles the total number of potential victims, to 334,000."
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/irs-says-thieves-stole-tax-180038320.html

This imp knows the feeling of being victimized. MY NAME and S/S NUMBER were used to file a bogus tax return in Oklahoma, requesting a $7800 refund.

Because of that, IRS issued me a special I.D. number to be affixed to every communication with them. Am I worrying about this? Very little, really. When something drastic comes of it, maybe then. imp
 

imp said:
"WASHINGTON (AP) -- A computer breach at the IRS in which thieves stole tax information from thousands of taxpayers is much bigger than the agency originally disclosed.
An additional 220,000 potential victims had information stolen from an IRS website as part of a sophisticated scheme to use stolen identities to claim fraudulent tax refunds, the IRS said Monday. The revelation more than doubles the total number of potential victims, to 334,000."
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/irs-says-thieves-stole-tax-180038320.html

This imp knows the feeling of being victimized. MY NAME and S/S NUMBER were used to file a bogus tax return in Oklahoma, requesting a $7800 refund.

Because of that, IRS issued me a special I.D. number to be affixed to every communication with them. Am I worrying about this? Very little, really. When something drastic comes of it, maybe then. imp
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I know people with an Hispanic last name have their ID stolen 3 times in 10 years. The IRS told them paper returns only for a while. But after looking the ACA website fiasco or the fact that government IT people didn't make mandatory use of government email for government business over a decade ago why should anyone be surprised at government policy and competence when it comes to computer policy and practice.

In 2013 it was reported the IRS was giving 4 BILLION dollars a year in identity theft related refunds including sending refunds to addresses in China and Lithuania.

http://nypost.com/2013/11/07/irs-sent-655-tax-refunds-to-a-single-address-in-lithuania/




I dread to think about what wasn't discovered yet.
 

Falcon said:
BTW, Can anybody tell me how long to keep tax records?? My file drawer is packed!
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Well, I don't remember where I got this number, maybe from the tax guides, but I use 7 years for my personal taxes. If I had a business I would likely put that question to my accountant.
 
WhatIn: Interestingly, I had not filed a tax return since 2003, insufficient income, no tax obligation, and still had not, when we were required to see an IRS agent because my wife went on Obamacare. It was there in his office that he discovered the fraudulent return using my ID. He was pretty cagey, asking me where and when I obtained my S/S #; when I told him 55 years ago in Berwyn, IL, he kind of softened, remarking we apparently have an ID theft. I have never filed on-line, nor had any other governmental interaction on-line, everything always by mail. imp
 
imp said:
WhatIn: Interestingly, I had not filed a tax return since 2003, insufficient income, no tax obligation, and still had not, when we were required to see an IRS agent because my wife went on Obamacare. It was there in his office that he discovered the fraudulent return using my ID. He was pretty cagey, asking me where and when I obtained my S/S #; when I told him 55 years ago in Berwyn, IL, he kind of softened, remarking we apparently have an ID theft. I have never filed on-line, nor had any other governmental interaction on-line, everything always by mail. imp
Click to expand...

I think the paper thing is for the IRS only because it does leave a paper trail to verify or disprove. They say regular checks of your credit will help prevent or catch ID theft. But the IRS losing all the confidential info-eeek. If they can't keep a ss # secure I doubt they'll do much better with Obama care medical information. It's not only the hacks I've seen stories of confidential trash to be shredded sold or rooted through for info in local government offices. I heard the thieves just want a soc that won't raise alarms ie warrants, crappy credit etc.
 
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