When it comes to filing taxes, a lot of us have plenty to worry about especially if we do all the work ourselves. But a growing number of Americans may have a new problem, i.e. a thief filing a false return in their name.
Identity thieves are becoming more adept at using personal information to file false tax returns in an effort to get someone's refund.
The IRS is promising to do more this year to catch identity thieves. It's doubled the number of people who investigate the crimes and trained 35-thousand employees to work with taxpayers. Unfortunately, tax related identity theft is exploding. In 2008, there were more than 47,000 cases. That grew to more than 240,000 cases in 2011 and it tripled last year to nearly 642,000 reports of theft.
The IRS says it's working to keep refunds out of the hands of thieves. It says one of the most important things you can to is check your credit report. (the recommended free site is annualcreditreport.com)
The IRS also warns consumers not to carry their social security card in their wallets. If your wallet is stolen, someone has visible proof of your personal information and can use the card to open accounts, even to apply for a job.
Friday, May 17 2013 1:24 PM EDT2013-05-17 17:24:52 GMT
Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police Investigators have made arrests in the shooting deaths of Wesley Franklin and Roderick Richardson. Brandon Mackey, 26, was taken into custody by SCMPD investigators
Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police Investigators have made arrests in the shooting deaths of Wesley Franklin and Roderick Richardson. Brandon Mackey, 26, was taken into custody by SCMPD investigators
Wednesday, May 15 2013 1:09 PM EDT2013-05-15 17:09:05 GMT
An undercover prostitution sting in the Jefferson Street area today led to the arrest of eight people, including several men dressed as women, police said.The incident also included one man who tried
An undercover prostitution sting in the Jefferson Street area today led to the arrest of eight people, including several men dressed as women, police said.The incident also included one man who tried
Friday, May 17 2013 11:31 PM EDT2013-05-18 03:31:26 GMT
Friends of Wesley Franklin are getting some closure after months of handing out flyers and hoping their friend's death wouldn't go unsolved. Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police announced Friday that
Friends of Wesley Franklin are getting some closure after months of handing out flyers and hoping their friend's death wouldn't go unsolved.
Thursday, May 16 2013 1:36 PM EDT2013-05-16 17:36:22 GMT
PICKENS COUNTY, S.C. - A woman has been charged in the deaths of her young children in Pickens County. According to the Pickens County Sheriff's Office, Suzanna Brown Simpson is charged in connection
PICKENS COUNTY, S.C. - A woman has been charged in the deaths of her young children in Pickens County. According to the Pickens County Sheriff's Office, Suzanna Brown Simpson is charged in connection
Hundreds-- that's how many people the Effingham Sheriff's Office says download child pornography in our area every day. How do they know? They are tracking the suspected sex offenders' every move online.
Hundreds-- that's how many people the Effingham Sheriff's Office says download child pornography in our area every day. How do they know? They are tracking the suspected sex offenders' every move online.
Tuesday, May 14 2013 11:36 AM EDT2013-05-14 15:36:56 GMT
LaTonya Williams spent her first Mother's Day in tears after finding out that someone was making fun of her precious baby Lola. "She was born with Apert Syndrome which affects her development and she's
Thousands of people are reacting online and in-person after hearing after hearing how baby Lola, who sufferes from a syndrome, was verbally attacked in offensive posts online by strangers.
