 TITLE: How to Keep Your Tax Refund Safe From Fraudsters CONTENT: What to Do if You Think Someone Stole Your Tax Refund\n-----------------------------------------------------\nCall the IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit right away at 800-908-4490. Create a file with every piece of paperwork you can get your hands on, dating back several years, to help prove you are who you say you are. File a police report and an IRS ID Theft Affidavit Form 14039. Be patient. Your refund will be delayed, and if that delay causes you financial hardship, you can appeal through the IRS Taxpayer Advocate office.\nOnce you've taken this first step, here are some other things to do if you're a victim of tax identity theft:\n*   **Contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)**: The FTC doesn't investigate tax identity theft but can provide resources for you to assist in the process. Also, consider filing a police report in case you need it later to prove that someone is using your identity for more than tax fraud.\n*   **File a paper return**: Though someone has filed a fraudulent return in your name, you still have to file the correct one. Submit your return and collect your refund or pay what you owe on time to avoid penalties and interest.\n*   **Consider freezing your credit**: Freezing your credit will prevent anyone from accessing your credit reports, including creditors. If the person who fraudulently filed your tax return tries to open new credit accounts in your name, a credit freeze will stop them in their tracks. Alternatively, you can place a fraud alert on your credit reports, which encourages creditors to call you to verify your identity before approving a credit application.\n*   **Check your open accounts**: If someone has your Social Security number, they could also have access to your financial accounts. Check your bank, credit card and investment accounts to make sure there aren't any unauthorized transactions. If you find any, report them immediately to the institution.\n*   **Request an identity protection PIN**: If you live in an eligible state or are a confirmed tax identity theft victim, you can receive a six-digit identity protection PIN from the IRS. This PIN adds an extra level of security when you or someone else tries to file a tax return in your name. Without it, an e-file return will be automatically rejected, and a paper return will be delayed until the IRS can verify the PIN. END