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DOR > Report Tax Fraud  > Identity Theft Identity Theft

Identity theft occurs when someone obtains your personal information – such as your Social Security number, credit card or account numbers, passwords, among others – to defraud or commit crimes. Victims of identity theft may lose significant money and time and may find their reputation and credit rating has been damaged, affecting the ability to obtain loans for education or housing, approval for rental agreements, and approval for credit cards or large purchases requiring credit.

How to Avoid Identity Theft

Signs You Might Have Been a Victim

  • Someone had filed a tax return in your name
  • Have an overdue balance or collection actions from a year you did not file a tax return
  • Confirmed IRS records of wages from an employer you never worked for

How to Avoid Becoming a Victim

Here are some simple, but important tips to protect your information:

  • Protect your financial documents. They have your name, address, bank information and Social Security number. Shred documents you don’t need and keep ones you do need locked.
  • Don’t give a business your Social Security number just because they ask.
  • Don’t carry your Social Security card with you.
  • Protect your financial information – shred important paper, don’t just throw them away.
  • Check your credit report every 12 months for free by directly contacting the three credit report agencies – Experian, Equifax and Trans Union.
  • Secure personal information in your home – keep your financial records locked up.
  • Protect your personal computers by using firewalls, anti-spam/virus software, update security patches and change passwords for Internet accounts.
  • Don’t give personal information over the phone, through the mail or on the Internet unless you are sure you know who you are dealing with.

File Electronically!

Another way to combat identity theft is to file your taxes electronically. E-filing is significantly more secure than paper filing. When you e-file, your return is processed predominately by computer. This means the fewest possible chances for identity theft. Individual taxpayers can file their taxes online for free if they qualify at http://www.freefile.dor.in.gov. Businesses can file many of their business taxes online using INtax for free at www.intax.in.gov.

A paper return is handled by dozens of people – postal processing, mail clerks, letter opening, paper organizing, return scanning, the person who reviews and approves information and possibly many others. The list goes on and on. There are a lot opportunities for identity theft with a paper return.

A taxpayer can also securely pay online using our ePay system. For more information, visit www.epay.in.gov.

For a list of safe and secure online services the Indiana Department of Revenue provides, visit www.in.gov/dor/4331.htm.

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