Fraudulent investments showed up on my 1099-B Form

[tbyrdjenkins999]

Hi,

I've recently received a 1099-B form from a company that claims I've earned proceeds from some investments made a couple of months ago. I have never made any investments or any accounts with this company. I have not sent my tax returns yet - I checked with the IRS and no one has made any tax returns in my name, but this form concerns me. How do I deal with this? Sensitive information has shown up on the form too!

[RobertB4444]

You have been the victim of identity theft.  You need to contact the company that issued you the 1099-B and let them know that.  You also will need to handle this with the IRS.  The IRS has received that 1099-B as well and they are expecting it to be included on your taxes.  If you file without it they will send you a letter asking about the extra income.  You should plan to mail in your tax return this year with a letter explaining the situation and letting them know what's going on.

The IRS has a lot of resources to help with identity theft.  Check them out here.

You should also consider requesting that the IRS issue you an identity protection PIN.

@tbyrdjenkins999 

[Mike9241]

other steps to consider if you are the victim of identity theft

Credit Agencies

1) Report the identity theft to the fraud department of one of the following reporting agencies as soon as possible. They must notify the other two agencies.

• Equifax: equifax.com
• Experian: experian.com
• TransUnion: transunion.com

2) Request a copy of your credit report and request that only the last four digits of your Social Security number be placed on the report.

3) Close accounts that you think have been compromised or opened fraudulently.

4) Inform the credit bureaus and the credit issuers (in writing) of any fraudulent accounts and incorrect information.

5) Obtain replacement credit cards with new, secure account numbers and destroy any old cards.

6) Notify those who have received your credit report in the last six months to alert them to any disputed, fraudulent or incorrect information.

7) Confirm that an extended fraud alert (seven years) is placed on your credit report.

Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

1) Report the crime to the FTC to establish an Identity Theft Affidavit.

Local Police

1)Report the crime to your local police or sheriff’s department. Make

sure to prompt as much documented evidence as possible.

2)Verify that the report lists the fraudulent accounts and keep a copy

of the report.

State Tax Agency

1) Contact your state tax agency to report the theft. Some agencies may require a police report and/or the IRS affidavit.

Other Agencies and Organizations

1) U.S. mail fraud: Contact your local postal inspector.

• Online: postalinspectors.uspis.gov
• Phone: 800.275.8777

2) Social Security number misuse — non-IRS issues:

-Check your earnings record to make sure no one is using your SSN to obtain work. Call your local Social Security Administration (SSA) office if something looks inaccurate.

-Contact the SSA Inspector General to report Social Security benefit fraud, employment fraud, or welfare fraud.

• Online reporting resources:

- socialsecurity.gov/oig

- Fraud Reporting Form

• SSA fraud hotline: 800.269.0271