Phishing Scam Targets Taxpayers Who Use Tax Software
By: Big 2 News Staff
Updated: March 2, 2012
The IRS is cracking down on criminals who steal Social Security
numbers and try to file false tax returns.
The number of identity thefts during tax season is on the rise,
according to IRS officials.
Pete and Amanda Philbrick take a lot of precautions when it comes
to identity theft.
"We shred everything," said Pete Philbrick. "We are very careful.
I never give my Social Security number out. I never give
out personal information."
The Phoenix couple, however, still became victims of identity
theft.
"Somebody, somehow had stolen my husband's identification," said
Amanda Philbrick.
The Philbricks are among a growing number of identity theft
victims being targeted at tax time.
The IRS estimates more than 400,000 people were victimized from
mid 2009 to the end of 2011. That's why the feds are stepping
up efforts to stop criminals who use stolen Social Security numbers to
cash in with Uncle Sam.
The identity thief who hit the Philbricks last year was wired
$8,000 from the IRS to a bank in Florida, and the money was
placed on a pre-paid credit card, the Philbricks said.
