When people think about identity theft, they often imagine a thief stealing credit card information or using a social security number to open up fraudulent accounts. While these are certainly legitimate threats, there are a few other types of identity theft that you might not be aware of. The first special form of identity theft I wanted to talk about is tax identity theft. I’ve referred to this before on this blog, but the basic idea is that a criminal can use your Social Security number to file a false tax return in your name and steal your tax refund. If you receive a notice from the IRS that indicates a refund was issued that you did not file, you may be the victim of this type of theft. You will need to fill out an Identity Theft Affidavit form provided by the IRS along with your tax return. In the event that the notice indicated that you were paid by an employer you don’t recognize, you will need to write a letter to that employer letting them know that your identity was stolen. Keep a record of everyone you spoke to as well as copies of any letters you sent or received.
If you have children, it is possible for identity thieves to use their information to open fraudulent accounts in their name even though as minors they are not able to enter into legal contracts. Contact the company where the fraud occurred and explain that your child’s identity was stolen. Ask them to close the fraudulent account and request a letter confirming that your child is not liable for the account. You can check to see if your child has a credit report by requesting a manual search for their Social Security number. Each of the credit agencies has their own process for this, Equifax, TransUnion, Experian.
Finally, your identity can be used by thieves to get medical services. If you suspect this has happened, get copies of your medical records by contacting each doctor or organization where the thief may have used your information. Consult your states health privacy laws as some states make it easier to get copies of your records. Review your medical records and if you find any fraudulent information, include it in your official Identity Theft Report as well as reporting it to your health care provider. You will also need to notify your health insurer.
If you are the victim of identity theft the Federal Trade Commission has set up IdentityTheft.gov where you can go to create an Identity Theft Report. This report will serve as documentation that can be used to resolve issues with most companies and credit agencies. This report is also used when filing a police report. Even if you have not been personally affected, IdentityTheft.gov is a great resource for educating yourself about the dangers of identity theft, and the steps you can take to protect yourself. I also recommend you take a look at Identity Theft: A Recovery Plan which covers many topics relating to identity theft in detail. By staying alert and informed, you can keep yourself safe from identity theft in a world that is becoming more digital by the day.
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