IRS Agents Offer Tips In Midville
Securing personal information and watching out for potential scammers were the focus of the Middle Village Property Owners/Residents Association’s (MVPORA) Feb. 13 meeting, as members of the Internal Revenue Service’s Criminal Investigation Unit gave a crash course on the signs and dangers of identity theft.
Supervising Special Agent Eric Sullivan of the unit’s Brooklyn office offered a presentation about identity theft, which he said is growing across the United States at epic proportions. “No matter how secure you are” with personal information, “you can be a victim and don’t even know it,” he added.
The agent cited a recent study which found that last year, there were more than 8.1 million victims of identity theft in the U.S., with $37 billion in related losses reported. The crime has been the top complaint received by the Federal Trade Commission for 11 consecutive years, he added.
Despite the common perception that individual computer hackers are largely behind identity theft, Sullivan told residents that investigators have found the crime is being committed more often by organized crime syndicates and drug cartels. The personal information obtained from victims can be used to create credit card accounts or even by criminals who file fraudulent W2 tax forms in order to receive refunds from the federal government.
Organized crime groups are turning to identity theft, Sullivan indicated, since it brings in a very high profit with reduced risk, as the criminal penalties end to be less severe than more serious crimes such as narcotics trafficking and sales.
To that end, the IRS’ Criminal Investigation Unit and other law enforcement agencies across the United States have made catching individuals involved in identity theft their top priority, second only to terrorism, Sullivan added. Judges have also taken notice, as more jurists are sentencing those convicted of the crime to longer periods of jail time and higher fines, he stated.
The IRS is establishing “scheme development centers” and a identity theft “clearing house” to gather information on a scams and share it with other law enforcement groups to track down and prosecute offenders. Additionally, the IRS has set up an Identity Protection Service to assist identity theft victims to ensure that their taxes are properly filed and that they receive the refunds to which they are entitled.
Through this system, an individual is assigned a personal identification number by the IRS which they must disclose on their tax return. Any return received by the IRS without that number will be treated as a potentially fraudulent form and rejected.
Scammers tend to use a variety of methods to obtain a person’s identity, Sullivan said. In some instances, they may call a victim and, while claiming to be from the IRS or another government agency, may ask for their Social Security number and other information in order to resolve an alleged problem.
A more common scam called “phishing” involves an e-mail purportedly sent by the IRS, a bank or a credit card company seeking personal information from a victim about their account. Recipients of such an e-mail will be directed to a link for a website that may appear to be authentic, but which Sullivan noted is an actual front for the scammers to obtain the victims’ identity.
The IRS agent noted that the agency never requests the personal information of a taxpayer through a random phone call or e-mail. He further advised residents not to disclose any information to a caller or over the e-mail; when in doubt, Sullivan noted, contact the IRS directly to check if there is a legitimate problem.
“The IRS does not initiate contact about tax information via e-mail and does not ask for sensitive information,” he said.
Anyone who believes they are a victim of identity theft should report it to authorities immediately, Sullivan stated: “Don’t be embarrassed. It happens to everyone.”
Sullivan advised that residents first report suspected identity theft cases involving the IRS to their local police precinct and obtain a official complaint from them, which should then be forwarded to the IRS Criminal Investigation Unit.
“You’re going to have to protect yourself in any way you can” before becoming a victim of identity theft, he added, suggesting that residents check their financial statements on a regular basis to guard against questionable transactions. He also advised that residents avoid using more than one credit card to make purchases to enable them to keep better track of their finances.
During tax season, Sullivan also cautioned residents to “know your tax professional” and to be careful to avoid programs offered by tax preparers that may seem questionable.
“Go to a legitimate prepare who knows what they are doing,” he said. “It’s all about protecting yourself. Putting yourself out there leaves you at risk.”
The next Middle Village Property Owners/Residents Association meeting is scheduled to take place on Monday night, Mar. 12, at 7:30 p.m. at St. Margaret’s Parish Hall, located on 79th Place south of Juniper Valley Road.
