| As the internet grows as a business | | | | number is also the number used by the |
| medium, identity theft is becoming a | | | | IRS to track your earnings. If someone |
| bigger problem by the week. Most people, | | | | else is using it to get a job, the IRS |
| however, don't realize it can cause you | | | | is going to think you earned far more |
| problems with the IRS. | | | | money than you are reporting on your |
| As the name suggests, identity theft is | | | | return. Nothing aggravates the IRS more. |
| the swiping of your identity for dubious | | | | You can expect a huge audit and pure |
| purposes. If it happens to you, it is | | | | misery until the situation is worked |
| more or less a nightmare. The biggest | | | | out. |
| worry for most people is credit accounts | | | | If this nightmare scenario happens to |
| being opened and abused by the thief in | | | | you, are you sunk? Nope. The IRS is |
| question. This results in your credit | | | | keenly aware of the problems with |
| being destroyed, which means good luck | | | | identity theft. This is particularly |
| in buying a house and so on. | | | | true since scam artists are sending out |
| There are other ways identity theft can | | | | fake IRS emails to try to snare unwary |
| be a problem. Identity theft can really | | | | individuals. If you are a victim of |
| hurt you with the IRS. There are a | | | | identity theft and start getting notice |
| couple of ways this can happen, so let's | | | | from the IRS, there is one step you need |
| take a closer look. | | | | to take. You must immediately contact |
| First, you identity can be used to | | | | the IRS. If you procrastinate, the IRS |
| create fake identities for others. It | | | | is not going to be particularly |
| sounds like something out of a spy | | | | sympathetic. Act now. |
| novel, but there is a more practical | | | | Once you act, the IRS will take a closer |
| application these days. Illegal | | | | look at the earnings. They may interview |
| immigrants are facing new regulations in | | | | the employer, but will definitely look |
| some states where they must produce | | | | at the location of the business. If you |
| proof of citizenship to receive medical | | | | are in Los Angeles and the employer is |
| service, a job and so on. Guess where | | | | in Boston, the IRS is going to let you |
| they are getting it? Yes, your personal | | | | off the hook. |
| financial information is being sold to | | | | Identity theft is a nightmare, so be |
| them, specifically your social security | | | | careful out there. If you run into a |
| number. | | | | problem that gets the attention of the |
| So, how does this cause you problems | | | | IRS, communicate immediately with them |
| with the IRS? This is where the second | | | | to avoid bigger problems. |
| problem arises. Your social security | | | | |