Wondering Why ODJFS Sent You Form 1099-G?
欺诈行为呈上升趋势. Bad actors are targeting email, they’re infiltrating cell phones, they’re tampering with our mailboxes, they’re basically lurking in every corner of our lives just waiting for us to let our guards down. Stay vigilant out there, friends.
We recently received a call from a client who reported that their spouse opened their mailbox and found a 1099-G form from the 状态 of Ohio for unemployment benefits waiting for them. The couple found this curious as the recipient of the tax form was currently enjoying their 15th year of retirement. Clearly, something wasn’t right. 经过一番调查, their worries were confirmed – somebody fraudulently filed for unemployment benefits on behalf of our client’s spouse and the 1099-G form was the red flag.
Unfortunately, this is not an isolated incident. 事实上, we’ve had calls from others who have been targeted (or who have stories of others who have been targeted) in a similar fashion.
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What To Do If You Suspect Your Personal Information Has Been Stolen?
The Ohio Department of Job and Family 服务 (ODJFS) provided information for those who suspect that their personal information has been stolen on 他们的网站. This is particularly helpful if you found 你的self on the receiving end of a 1099-G tax form for unemployment benefits you didn’t request or receive.
第一步:报告
The first step to take when you suspect that you have been a victim of identity theft pertaining to unemployment benefits is to access the 在线表单 ODJFS提供. This form should be completed and submitted as soon as possible. Once the completed form is received, ODJFS will process it and proceed with an investigation. 如果有必要的话, the agency will also issue a correction to the IRS pertaining to 1099-G that was issued.
第二步:联系你的注册会计师
Don’t allow the ODJFS’ investigation to delay filing 你的 state and federal tax returns. Instead, contact 你的 CPA and work with them during the filing process. The sooner you can bring 你的 CPA into the discussion, the better as criminals continue to use stolen information to 提交虚假报税表. 通常, a taxpayer won’t realize that they’ve been a victim until they go to file their taxes with the IRS only to realize that their taxes have already been submitted and 你的 refund was already deposited into the criminal’s bank account.
现在, with regard to the fraudulent unemployment benefits, per the Ohio Department of Taxation (ODT), taxpayers do not need to include unemployment benefits they didn’t apply for as income on federal and state income tax returns. 此外, “you do not need to have a determination from ODJFS on 你的 ID theft claim or a corrected 1099-G to file 你的 federal and state income tax returns. 然而, you should continue to pursue a corrected 10990G from ODJFS after 你的 returns are filed to avoid a future audit by the IRS or ODT.”
Step 3: Prevent Future Identity Fraud
There are a lot of great measures you can take to prevent becoming a victim of identity fraud moving forward. Here are some key tips you should keep in mind at all times:
- Keep 你的 社会 Security card in a secure location – this does NOT mean inside 你的 wallet.
- Use discretion when it comes to sharing 你的 社会 Security Number, 或者你的生日, or 你的 bank account number with anybody.
- 每天收集你的邮件. 当你不能的时候， 别挂断 to avoid key pieces of 你的 personal identification from falling into the wrong hands.
- Use proven security features, including two-factor authentication, firewalls, VPNs, etc.
- Review 你的 credit card and bank account statements regularly and watch for unauthorized transactions.
- 创建复杂的密码短语. Check out this article to learn how to craft the ideal passphrase.
- Check 你的 credit reports annually. This is a great way to ensure that additional accounts weren’t opened in 你的 name without 你的 knowledge.
When it comes to protecting 你的 identity, you are going to be 你的 own best advocate. 实践最佳实践, 保持警惕, and report 你的 suspicions of identity fraud to the authorities. If you would like to learn more about identity theft prevention or how to protect 你的self or 你的 organization from fraud, 安全的赌博软件 今天.
By 丽莎·比默，注册会计师 (新费城办事处)
Check out these additional resources to learn about recent fraud activities that could impact you:
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