Tax and Government Fraud Cases Spiked 68% in 2022
NORTHBOOK, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mar. 30, 2023-- Taxpayers may get lower refunds this year, but that’s not stopping scammers from trying to steal them.
Allstate Identity Protection is reporting a 68% spike in tax and government fraud cases in 2022 over 2021. In fact, tax refund fraud was the third most reported fraud type in 2022, according to the Allstate Identity Protection Fraud in Focus report.
“We get a lot of calls about identity theft every year during tax season,” said
The
Allstate Identity Protection is reminding people to be diligent and act on warning signs early to keep their identity and money safe.
5 warning signs of tax identity theft
-
You file your taxes and they’re declined. This is a sign a scammer has already used your
Social Security number to file a phony tax return. As a result, theIRS can’t accept your electronic or paper return. -
IRS records don't have your correct employment history or wages. -
The
IRS notifies you about an additional tax or refund offset you weren’t expecting. -
You get a letter from the
IRS saying your online account has been deactivated. - You’ve been assigned an employer identification number you didn’t request.
“One of the best ways to protect yourself is to safeguard your
Consider signing up for an identity protection service for extra peace of mind. Allstate Identity Protection reimburses out-of-pocket costs for various types of fraud, including stolen tax refunds.
To learn more about 2023 fraud predictions and the most prevalent scams of 2022, check out Identity Fraud in Focus, the Allstate Identity Protection quarterly report. It includes insights from millions of identity theft cases to keep families safer online.
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jessica.porter@allstate.com
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