Tax-related identify theft is relatively easy to commit, as all that's
needed is a Social Security number and a name, according to Identity Theft 911,
an identity and data risk management provider. As victims like
Greenwood are dismayed to learn, the crime continues to grow, according
to the Taxpayer Advocate Service, an independent organization within the IRS that assists taxpayers.
The service received more than 34,000 tax identity theft cases in fiscal-year 2011, a 97 percent increase over 2010.
Three weeks after Greenwood filed her taxes, she said she logged onto
the IRS's website to check the status of her refund. Instead of
providing an update, the website advised her to call the IRS. After
verifying some information, the IRS said Greenwood's address was not the
one in its files, and asked her if she had ever lived in Parsippany,
N.J.
Never having lived in New Jersey, Greenwood was told the income tax
return had been filed online in her name and with her Social Security
number -- with a New Jersey address.
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