 TITLE: What Are the Warning Signs of Tax Fraud? CONTENT: How to Detect Tax Fraud\n-----------------------\nThe most common signs of tax fraud include:\n*   **Your return has already been filed**: Unfortunately, you may not be aware that you're a victim of tax fraud until it's too late. Here's what can happen: You file your return and wait for your refund. Then you get a rejection from the IRS telling that your information has already been used in a different return.\n*   **An unknown employer sends you a tax form**: You receive a W-2 or 1099 form from an employer you're unfamiliar with. The IRS may also reach out to you and inform you that this employer has paid you.\n*   **You receive a tax refund you didn't expect**: If you get a paper refund check in the mail that you didn't request, don't get too excited. A criminal may have had it sent it to you by accident when they wanted to have it sent somewhere else.\n*   **The IRS asks you to verify information**: If the IRS detects a suspicious tax return, it may send you a letter that asks you to confirm you're the one who is actually filing with your name and Social Security number.\n*   **You owe more money to the IRS but can't figure out why**: In the event the IRS states you owe them more money but you can't determine why after carefully reviewing your income or deductions, you may be a victim.\n*   **You use a new tax preparer who has odd requests**: This could include wanting you to sign your return before it's completed, not asking you for W-2s or requiring you to pay them instead of the IRS for taxes owed.\n*   **You get phone calls from the IRS demanding payment**: The IRS will never call you to request payment or ask for personal identity information. They also will not call you to tell you they're involving law enforcement in regard to your tax return. END