FTC to Host Tax Identity
Theft Awareness Week Jan. 25-29
Consumer Education, Webinars and More to Call Attention to Major
Consumer Issue
The
Federal Trade Commission will conduct a week of events Jan. 25-29 to raise
consumer awareness about the threat posed by tax identity theft, a scam that
puts thousands of people at risk every year.
Tax
identity theft typically happens when a scammer files a fraudulent tax return
using another individual’s Social Security number and receives a refund
electronically. A person typically discovers they have been a victim of tax
identity theft when they go to file their own tax return, only to be informed
by the Internal Revenue Service that a return has already been filed in their
name.
This
year’s Tax Identity Theft Awareness Week will focus on steering people to
IdentityTheft.gov, the federal government’s one-stop resource to help identity
theft victims – including tax identity theft victims – fix the problems caused
by identity theft. People will have an opportunity to learn more at the
following events (all times listed are Eastern):
In
addition to these events, the FTC has created a wide array of materials to help
educate people about this growing issue, all of which can be found at ftc.gov/taxidtheft. The materials are available in English and
Spanish, and also feature ways in which people can share information about tax
identity theft with their friends and families.
The
Federal Trade Commission works to promote competition, and protect
and educate consumers. You can learn more about
consumer topics and file a consumer complaint
online or by calling 1-877-FTC-HELP (382-4357). Like the FTC on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, read our blogs
and subscribe
to press releases for the latest FTC news and resources.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Jay Mayfield
Office of Public Affairs
202-326-2181
STAFF CONTACT:
Rosario Mendez
Bureau of Consumer
Protection
202-326-3749