Early Tax Filing Will Reduce Risk Of Identity Theft

It’s a good idea to submit tax returns as soon as possible, according to Attorney General Bill Schuette.

The AG says earlier filers reduce the risk of scammers submitting fake tax returns in your name.

He says anyone can be a target for tax-related identity theft. It happens when someone uses your social Security number to file an e-tax return claiming a fraudulent refund in your name.

And the smaller your refund, the more likely you are to be a target. Schuette says the scammers try to stay under the radar by targeting victims who have less than $4,000 coming to them.

He says the scammers can actually target victims by submitting phony tax returns before employer W-2 information is received and verified by the IRS.

And the refund can be sent to any address specified by the fraudster.