When I called the number it asked for my social, name, and email. The lady told me someone had accidentally used my social security number and not to worry about it. My concern is if this was actually turbotax or not.
I'm looking for a specific answer that tells if the number and email are real.
TurboTax Support will be able to verify if the number/email is from TurboTax.
I already called and the person told me that she doesn't have a directory of numbers to verify or not, that she could only google and see what others said of the number.
You should report any suspicious emails to https://security.intuit.com/.
866-602-4279 is a valid number for the Security and Privacy Team.
Similar security alerts are sent when you or someone else opens a new account with your SSN or other personal information. Sometimes people create second accounts by mistake. You can use the account recovery tool to see if you might have a second account associated with one of your email addresses. https://myturbotax.intuit.com/account-recovery/ If the new account is one that you are using to file a return, you can contact the security team to have them release the return.
If you believe that you did not create a duplicate account, you should read the below advice and call TurboTax Privacy & Security right away. Someone may have tried to file a tax return with your SSN.
However, it is also possible for scammers to copy and alter legitimate emails. For example, Turbotax will never tell you to install files from an email attachment, or to send personal information via email. Make sure you do not answer any personal questions by email, and don't put personal information into a web site unless the address is intuit.com and it shows a padlock icon that means the web site is verified by an outside security company.
If you want to independently get a verified number for customer support, use the web form on the Turbotax web site.
https://ttlc.intuit.com/replies/3300041
https://ttlc.intuit.com/replies/4838253
Opus has answered the question. I would advice that the support people know that a security team exists, she said there was only one department and couldn't transfer me to anyone. They should be able to verify which numbers are legit or not also. And the article pertaining to this event should list the number so that people can crosscheck viability, instead it just says to use the number in the email.
It sounds like you got the correct answer from the security team the first time you called? If a customer mis-typed their SSN and accidentally got yours, but the name and address on the return were their name and address, then it's probably ok to just call it a typo (especially if the customer fixes the SSN and re-transnmits.)
Turbotax automatically puts a hold on any tax return from a new account where the SSN matches an existing customer. I would assume (perhaps optimistically) that such holds are manually reviewed to separate typos from real ID theft. But because the IRS puts strict time limits on such holds, it probably makes sense to notify the customer ASAP instead of waiting until after the manual review.
Except that there is no way to know if you're talking to the legit security team instead of a scammer...thus the question on here, and the frustration with being unable to find out through simple searches. I've been through MULTIPLE help articles on here, searches on Google and Bing, and most of them say the number is a scam. This is the ONLY place I have found saying that the number is legit. And when the only PUBLISHED customer service number has no idea if it is a scam or not, it tends to look like it is.
Your "customer service" process is completely broken, and even your own resources don't have the correct answers.
I received this email last night too and the email says you only have 48 hours to contact them to report that it is not me. I called the number and it says they are closed until Monday morning which is beyond the 48 hours since I received the email. Will they still process the fraudulent tax return on Sunday?
I received this email last night too and the email says you only have 48 hours to contact them to report that it is not me. I called the number and it says they are closed until Monday morning which is beyond the 48 hours since I received the email. Will they still process the fraudulent tax return on Sunday?
NEVER GIVE OUT YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER TO SOMEONE THAT CONTACTS YOU (or other personal information for that matter).
Scammers always try to create a 'sense of urgency' (call back within 48 hours or something bad will happen!)
Also, the IRS does not email or call anyone - it is always via the mail
hover over the email address in the email and see if it some weird sender and not Turbo Tax. If you need to call back, look at the Turbo Tax Web site and only call the numbers that are listed there. Do not trust the phone number in the email is legitimate - it may be someone trying to steal your identity!
the email and number to call are the ones listed in this chain. I was searching to check it's legitimacy and came upon this forum, so it sounds like it is legitimate.
I agree with the others on here that it is extremely hard to verify that something from TurboTax is legitimate and it seems impossible for me to get an actual person from the TurboTax help numbers on the phone.
Also received similar email. In lieu of calling the number in the email, I logged directly into Intuits website and found a different number, called it, and spoke to a very helpful individual who determined that someone has indeed attempted to file a tax return with my information. We have a case in process. I'll have to mail in a paper copy of my return this year. Two comments: (1) I don't know if the number in the original email is legit, the Intuit person did call it when we were on the line together and then we were sidetracked and never circled back around to its accuracy and (2) after logging into Intuits website I was plunking around and found reference to recent Sign ins to my account AND the exact wording used in that original email (You're using a different TurboTax account this year. It's important that you contact us right away). The recent sign in was from my computer 10 minutes earlier, so their system clearly worked to identify me. And it also showed a message about the different account submittal, but from an Unknown Device, Unknown Browser and Unknown Location, with a time that was 2 hours earlier than my log in. This is when I was still sleeping so it obviously wasn't me. You can go to this same location as follows after logging in: click on "Sign in & Security", and then click on "Account Activity (Check in on your latest account activity)". If Intuit resources are reading this, I do have a recommendation: When I first logged in this morning there was no reference to any potential issues. In my opinion, there should be a big flashing note that I have to click "OK or Cancel" suggesting that I call a specific number to verify the validity of the supposed tax return submittal, vs. having it hidden in the area noted above.
One additional item: the Intuit resource never asked me for anything related to my SSN. The only info they requested was the email address I was using with this specific account, my phone number and my address.
Got the same email. logged in and confirmed the same message was showing in my Account Activity which also showed the it occurred 10 hours before. I was also hesitant to call that number in email, so I went through the online chat to get a voice call back. The rep was initially confused about the message, but after brief hold was able to confirm the fraudulent activity. She filled out a form while I was on the call and stopped the fraudulent filing.
Yes the [phone number removed] number is legit. You can also call into the main support line [phone number removed] if there are doubts.
Out of curiosity, did the rep forward you an email with a link to upload proof of identity (license, passport, etc.) that the government will use to review the attempted, fraudulent filing, and did they note that you'll have to submit a paper copy of your taxes this year?
I'm hearing impaired and can't hear clearly over the phone. I have the same issue with the email and I'm trying to find a way to get in contact thru another way other than phone
"Out of curiosity, did the rep forward you an email with a link to upload proof of identity (license, passport, etc.) that the government will use to review the attempted, fraudulent filing, and did they note that you'll have to submit a paper copy of your taxes this year?"
Yes they did.
"I'm hearing impaired and can't hear clearly over the phone. I have the same issue with the email and I'm trying to find a way to get in contact thru another way other than phone"
Take a look at this. You can message them online.
https://ttlc.intuit.com/community/taxes/discussion/turbotax-customer-service/00/834690