In recognition of Tax Identity Theft Awareness Week Jan. 30 through Feb. 3, join VA’s Identity Safety Service and the Office of Information and Technology, along with the Federal Trade Commission and U.S. Treasury Inspector General of Tax Assessment this Feb. 1 at 11 a.m. ET for a Twitter chat on tax identity theft.

Tax identity theft happens when someone uses your Social Security number to get a tax refund or a job. The upcoming awareness week, in particular, draws to light the importance of identity safety during the upcoming tax season, as well as the importance of remaining vigilant year round.

This event is part of VA’s More Than a Number identity protection program, which serves to provide information to educate Veterans and their beneficiaries on how to protect themselves from identity theft.

Be sure to follow @DeptVetAffairs on Twitter for the conversation Feb. 1.

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4 Comments

  1. Michael Ashton January 21, 2017 at 14:10

    When I consider that The VA is one of two government agencies that has mishandled my personal date and notified me of it twice, I find it hard to trust the VA.The lack of profession attitude in regards to our personal data does not support the claims you make here.

  2. Janis Holloway January 19, 2017 at 13:02

    I received a phone call the other day, stating that I had a warrant for my arrest and to call a 206 area code # to take care of the problem. I googled it, and found out it was an IRS scam going around. Since VA disability isn’t even taxable, how is this happening? I haven’t filed taxes since 2009. And the only reason I filed prior to that since 1998 was because I was married and filed jointly with my ex husband. Since my divorce, I was told by H&R Block that I don’t need to file on my SSD because I’m not filing jointly with someone that has to pay taxes on their income. Since I haven’t filed since 2009, how is my info getting into the hands of these scammers? I’m just glad that I’m smart enough not to fall for the BS, but what if someone that doesn’t have full faculties of their mental state becomes prey? This needs to STOP!!!!

    • jp52576 January 19, 2017 at 17:07

      Janis, what makes you think they actually had your information? Did they call you by name when you answered the phone? Phone numbers are sequential so all they have to do is set their equipment to increment by one digit and then dial the next number in order. They just keep trying numbers until they get someone to answer. It’s a sad reflection on our society but some of these scammers aren’t even in the US. With VoIP (Voice over IP) they could be sitting somewhere in Africa and using a local number to call you via the Internet. Makes it extremely difficult to stop.

      On a side note, there are some tax provisions which would allow individuals to get money back from the IRS even if they hadn’t had to pay anything in taxes that year. So, you might want to check with your tax preparer each year just to make sure you’re not missing out on money you’re entitled to.

  3. Vincent Foster January 19, 2017 at 12:10

    May I suggest the VA STOP! Giving information such as how much you compensation is by simply putting in one SSN number when call the 800 827-1000 number???

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