Criminal Impersonation (Identity Theft)

DATE & TIME: 03-04-2018 @ 1200

LOCATION: Rural Odell

OFFENSE: Criminal Impersonation (Identity Theft)

CASE #: 2018-0873                  

A resident of rural Odell contacted a Gage County Sheriff’s Office deputy and stated she had received a letter from the Nebraska Department of Revenue informing her someone had attempted to file a tax return using her name and social security number.

A Gage County Sheriff’s Office investigator was assigned to follow-up on the case and she said the letter instructed her to file a report online and to complete a "Form 14039" either online or in paper form and submit it to the Internal Revenue Service. She states she did so and is waiting to hear back regarding her tax return.

She states she has not lost any money and her bank account did not have any money withdrawn or credited. She stated she is worried about potential or future fraud against her, however she uses "LifeLock" and they have not reported any concerns. She was advised by a Gage County Sheriff’s Office investigator to contact LifeLock and advise them of the fraudulent tax return filing. She was also advised to monitor her bank, credit, and other finances and to check her mail for any fraudulent mailings, purchases, or newly opened credit accounts.

Instructions from the Internal Revenue Service website states:

Steps to take if you become a victim

If you are a victim of identity theft, the Federal Trade Commission recommends these steps:

• File a complaint with the FTC at identitytheft.gov.

• Contact one of the three major credit bureaus to place a ‘fraud alert’ on your credit records:  *Equifax, www.Equifax.com, 800-525-6285;  *Experian, www.Experian.com, 888-397-3742;  *TransUnion, www.TransUnion.com, 800-680-7289

• Contact your financial institutions, and close any financial or credit accounts opened without your permission or tampered with by identity thieves.

If your SSN is compromised and you know or suspect you are a victim of tax-related identity theft, the IRS recommends these additional steps:

• Respond immediately to any IRS notice; call the number provided.
• Complete IRS Form 14039, Identity Theft Affidavit, if your efiled return rejects because of a duplicate filing under your SSN or you are instructed to do so. Use a fillable form at IRS.gov, print, then attach the form to your return and mail according to instructions.

If you previously contacted the IRS and did not have a resolution, contact us for specialized assistance at 1-800-908-4490. We have teams available to assist.

Anyone who receives suspicious mail, phone calls, e-mails, or personal contact should advised a trusted family member, associate or banking official and contact their local police department or call the Gage County Sheriff’s Office and ask to speak with an investigator to make a report.

Sheriff Millard “Gus” Gustafson #903

Investigator T. Hanson #90310