Scummers got my wife and me!

[fyrffytr1]

The title is spelled correctly. Scum stole our federal tax return and then filed a fraudulent one. They used all our information including income down to the dollar and the sources it came from. Then they filed a long form (We filed a short form) and added over $29,000.00 in mortgage interest, over $22,000.00 in cash contributions and over $2,500.00 in other deductions.
They got a return of over $6,000.00 (about $4,000.00 more than we were due) and had it direct deposited in an account. Then, they used that direct deposit information to get our $2,400 stimulus money!
So, they ended up with almost $9,000.00 and I haven't seen a dime!
Our tax lady said that scammers usually make up a completely fraudulent return using only the name and SSN. Since ours was correct to the dollar it had to have been stolen from the mail.
I have been on the phone and computer all day freezing credit and filing forms with the IRS.
I would love to meet the trash that did this to us and at least three other filers that use the same tax preparer we do.

 

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[Army of 1]

Man that sucks , sorry for your loss , hope the trail can be tracked and the Scum caught .

 

[A2coins]

hope they go to prison for a long time

 

[Tiredman]

We had a real interesting one happen. My wife was declared deceased and everything from bank accounts, credit cards, drivers license you name it was effected. To top it off the social security office said they cant release the source! Several trips to the social security office didn't get it cleared up and we had to contact a state Rep and send him a release of info to get the SS office to act. We were told around 17,000 people are declared deceased each year and most never know it.

 

[pat-tekker-cat]

I'm so sorry and hope this can get fixed soon.
I've also been hearing a lot of this happening, some here in S. Fl,
I even read about some of it, on the DOJ website, over the last few months.
Tax preparers doing bad things, or, (maybe in this case) the postman/woman.
Why don't your preparer file electronically?

I sure hope you got the federal authorities on this.
Good luck, too.

 

[fyrffytr1]

What got me was that they claimed over $29,000.00 in mortgage interest and over $22,000.00 in CASH contributions and that didn't throw up a red flag with the IRS? All those deductions would have left less than $30,000.00 to live on. How could that amount pay for a house that accrued over $29,000.00 in mortgage interest?

 

[fyrffytr1]

I'm so sorry and hope this can get fixed soon.
I've also been hearing a lot of this happening, some here in S. Fl,
I even read about some of it, on the DOJ website, over the last few months.
Tax preparers doing bad things, or, (maybe in this case) the postman/woman.
Why don't your preparer file electronically?

I sure hope you got the federal authorities on this.
Good luck, too.

I have always filed a paper return and for the last 10 years it has been the short form. But, I will file next years electronically. They didn't bother my state return. I feel like it may have been done at the IRS due to the amounts and types of deductions. If you claimed $22,00.00+ CASH contributions would you expect your return to go unquestioned?

 

[smokeythecat]

I worked for a big bank in their fraud department. The IRS has THOUSANDS of folks employed to help you out. First thing, FREEZE your and your wife's social security number with the three big credit bureaus.

That way, you won't accidentally own a few cars or a house in New York or wherever. I did mine a few years ago. It was free then.

 

[fyrffytr1]

I worked for a big bank in their fraud department. The IRS has THOUSANDS of folks employed to help you out. First thing, FREEZE your and your wife's social security number with the three big credit bureaus.

That way, you won't accidentally own a few cars or a house in New York or wherever. I did mine a few years ago. It was free then.

I spent all afternoon doing just that and then did it again with my wife after supper! Also filed a fraud report with the FTC and IRS. Tomorrow I will file one with the local police department. It is still free and, if you are a victim of fraud you can get free credit reports from the big 3. Our credit is frozen for a year but I have downloaded forms to fill out and mail to freeze it for 7 years. At 70 years of age I don't plan on opening any new credit! And I can always unfreeze it if I have to.

 

[relicmeister]

Anyone have their home title stolen? They sell something called home title lock that’s supposed to monitor your title for that possibility. Man we live in a rotten society. ( with maybe the majority not and still by far the best one) makes you cynical for sure

 

[SD51]

Tree chipper and I mean right now! Sorry to hear that, it doesn't end.

 

[airborne1092]

Makes you so angry, you want to ensure the scumbags are pissing teeth into a bag.

 

[mnixon]

String um up !!! gosh I hate being a victim of fraud .Hope it works out . Sounds like you got a good plan of getting thing headed in the right direction.

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

That truly sucks. Hope you get some recovery of it.

 

[cw0909]

if the mail was stolen from the tax preparers mail box, maybe they have
insurance to cover the damages to you from the theft, and maybe the refund
too,if you cant get the irs to get your correct refund

 

[GoldieLocks]

These stories are so so sad. What a sick time we are living in.

 

[fyrffytr1]

I put the returns in my mailbox about 30 minutes before the mail truck ran.

 

[muppet]

that's awful

 

[SusanMN]

I know that a lot of people don’t trust the internet and don’t do things like banking online. But even if you do feel that way you need to set up online accounts for everything- banks, credit cards , utilities etc. why? Because it is alarmingly easy to do for the first time and only required minimal information. So if you don’t do it, you leave the door open for scammers to do it and become you.

Set up every account with its own strong password, set up two factor authentication (you use not only a passcode but a code texted to your cell) to access an account and set up whatever alerts they allow so no one can change your personal information or your password without you being notified. For banking you can also set up alerts so that account activity over a certain amount results in an alert being sent to you. And finally check all of your accounts regularly, like once a week.

Lastly I would never use an online Tax filing system. Safer to purchase one that is installed on your PC and only sent electronically so your tax information is only stored with you. And file as early as you are able to beat a potential scammer.

 

[Professor of Engineering]

Sorry to hear.