Combating Tax Refund Fraud and Identity Theft

Attorney General Holder Calls Tax Refund Fraud and Identity Theft a "Rising Threat"

Calling stolen identity refund fraud "a rising threat," Attorney General Holder warned Americans to be vigilant and protect their personal information as the April 15 tax filing deadline approaches. In the last year alone, the Justice Department charged more than 880 defendants involved in stolen identity refund fraud, and the IRS reports that it resolved and closed approximately 963,000 cases involving identity theft victims. Reinforcing the point that anyone can be a target, the Attorney General shared his recent experience with tax refund fraud after two people attempted to file with his personal information. The Attorney General also urged Americans to protect themselves by reporting suspicious activity and learning more at the IRS website or STOPFRAUD.GOV.