 TITLE: How to Keep Your Tax Refund Safe From Fraudsters CONTENT: What Happens if Someone Steals Your Tax Refund\n----------------------------------------------\nIf someone uses your personal information to file a tax return in your name, you typically won't know until you try to file yourself or receive some form of communication from the IRS.\nFortunately, tax identity theft isn't as common as it used to be. Between 2015 and 2017, reports of fraudulent tax returns from identity theft victims dropped by 65% due to efforts by the IRS, state tax agencies and the tax community, according to the IRS.\nBut while the IRS and other agencies are getting better at foiling tax identity theft, there were still 242,000 reported cases in 2017, according to the IRS, which means you're still at risk. Here are some warning signs that could indicate a fraudulent tax return:\n*   You get a letter from the IRS about a suspicious tax return, and you haven't filed one yet.\n*   Your e-filed tax return is rejected because of a duplicate Social Security number.\n*   You get a tax transcript in the mail that you didn't request.\n*   You get a notice from the IRS that an online account has been created in your name or your existing account has been accessed or disabled, and you haven't taken these actions.\n*   You get a notice from the IRS that you owe additional tax, your refund is offset or collection actions are taken against you regarding a tax year for which you didn't file.\n*   IRS records show you received income from an employer you don't recognize and for whom you didn't work.\nIf someone uses your information to file a fraudulent tax return, your own return will be rejected as a duplicate. If you're expecting a refund, it could be delayed while you sort out the situation with the IRS. That said, you don't have to worry about missing out on the refund altogether.\nMaking matters worse, tax identity theft could be just the tip of the iceberg. If someone has enough information to file a tax return in your name, it means they could also have opened credit accounts, filed fraudulent health insurance claims and more. END