State officials: Beat ID thieves to your tax return

MADISON -- State officials say tax season is a time when the damage from identity theft becomes very real for some taxpayers. This, as they discover that identity thieves have filed returns in their names using information they stole during the year.

There are a number of scenarios that a tax filer could face which might indicate that this crime has occurred including:


    Before you file your 2018 taxes, you can check whether an income tax return has already been filed in your name by visiting the Wisconsin Department of Revenue website (https://revenue.wi.gov; click on the “Online Services” link at the top of the homepage).

    If you believe that you may be the victim of tax identity theft, report the suspected fraud by phone to the IRS (1-800-829-0433) and the Wisconsin Department of Revenue (1-608-266-2486). DATCP offers a Tax ID Theft packet to assist consumers with next steps to protect against additional harm, and callers to the agency’s Consumer Protection Hotline (1-800-422-7128) can inquire about ways to further protect their identities. The Department of Revenue also offers a webpage with educational resources for taxpayers about identity-related issues.

    (NOTE: The IRS advises taxpayers to continue paying their taxes and filing their returns even if they suspect that they may be victims of identity theft.)


      By the time an identity thief has misused your information to file a return, the damage has already been done. It is imperative that consumers take steps to protect their personal and financial information throughout the year in order to keep those details from falling into the wrong hands. Follow these simple tips to protect your information:


        For additional information or to file a complaint, visit the Consumer Protection Bureau at datcp.wi.gov, call the Consumer Protection Hotline at 1-800-422-7128 or send an e-mail to datcphotline@wi.gov.