The Anthem Security Breach and Your Tax Return

Rick_E_Norris_An_Accountancy_Corporation_The_Anthem_Security_Breach_And_Your_Tax_ReturnIf you are like us, you may have received a notice from Anthem stating your personal information has been compromised.  At first, I thought, this was just another list of corporate organizations which are hacked, but this is  more serious from a tax return filing point of view.

For someone to  electronically file your tax return, they need three pieces of information: Name, social security number, and birthdate.  That’s all.  The address is irrelevant.  The felon then opens up a bank account in your name and collects the refund electronically.  The felon draws out the money and closes the account.  What monies can this perpetrator take?  I have seen them “manufacture” fake W-2s with fake withholdings that the IRS does not cross-check for sometime later.   Even though this person is not taking YOUR money, they are preventing you from filing your tax return and holding up your legitimate tax refund.  You will also be required to use a PIN when filing your return in the future.

The best defense is to file your return before the felon does locking him out.

Here is information from www.nextadvisor.com that is more comprehensive in dealing with the breach.

  1. Sign up for identity theft protection which will be much better than what Anthem is offering
  2. Be suspicious of strange phone calls, emails, and letters.
  3. Shred your junk mail and documents before throwing them out.
  4. Protect your medical identity and do not give out any information unless you are sure of who you are corresponding with
  5. Be on alert for tax identity theft.

It is always good to be proactive regarding fraud.  Don’t be caught offguard.

 

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