topic Re: Received a letter from the IRS today that someone used my SSN to obtain employment. in General Credit Topics

Received a letter from the IRS today that someone used my SSN to obtain employment.

2b2rich — Sun, 02 Oct 2022 00:16:40 GMT

That's what it read and it lists the tax year as 2021. It suggest in the steps I should take now, that I should contact the credit bureau and have a 'fraud alert' placed on my account. I don't want a Fraud Alert on my account, would just placing a freeze on all three bureaus work just as good? I will also get an identity protection pin from the IRS. They also suggest 'filing a report with Law Enforcement such as the FTC".

I'm thinking: someone has been using my identity for close to a year. There are no new employment entries on my reports.

Will the freezes be enough?

Re: Received a letter from the IRS today that someone used my SSN to obtain employment.

FireMedic1 — Sun, 02 Oct 2022 07:06:19 GMT

Did you go over this page?

https://www.irs.gov/individuals/understanding-your-cp01e-notice

Re: Received a letter from the IRS today that someone used my SSN to obtain employment.

2b2rich — Sun, 02 Oct 2022 15:57:07 GMT

@FireMedic1 wrote:
Did you go over this page?
https://www.irs.gov/individuals/understanding-your-cp01e-notice

I did go over this page after verifying the letter was not a scam. I am in the midst of doing all of that, but here is my concerns:

I had just completed a mini app spree the same day (before the mail ran) I got this letter. I have a couple of really nice new cards that are coming to me now. This seems like a really bad time to be placing a Fraud alert on my reports? I mean, will my creditors be notified of the alert and cancel those cards before they're even mailed because they think they may be the reason for the fraud alert?

My SSN was used in 2021 for gaining employment and I've had no alerts that they may have tried to take out credit and they've had it at least almost a year now. So I'm wondering if it is safe (as far as my credit reports go) to just freeze them right now and maybe a month from now place the fraud? Maybe make small purchases and pay them off first? Am I over thinking this?

Re: Received a letter from the IRS today that someone used my SSN to obtain employment.

FireMedic1 — Sun, 02 Oct 2022 16:10:36 GMT

You should have a freeze on your reports at all times. Only thawed when you app. If it was just for employment and not credit realted. JMO. It was a year ago. IRS already knows. Probably took care of that person maybe? With a freeze they cant mess with your credit file if they wanted to. As far as fraud alert. I'll ping @gdale6 see what he thinks.

Re: Received a letter from the IRS today that someone used my SSN to obtain employment.

2b2rich — Sun, 02 Oct 2022 17:39:36 GMT

@FireMedic1 wrote:
You should have a freeze on your reports at all times. Only thawed when you app. If it was just for employment and not credit realted. JMO. It was a year ago. IRS already knows. Probably took care of that person maybe? With a freeze they cant mess with your credit file if they wanted to. As far as fraud alert. I'll ping @gdale6 see what he thinks.

Thank you! The letter from the IRS did state that they had placed a marker on my tax account to identify that I may have been a victim of identity theft and therefore a Form 14039 Identity Theft Affidavit isn't necessary.

Re: Received a letter from the IRS today that someone used my SSN to obtain employment.

FireMedic1 — Sun, 02 Oct 2022 19:48:01 GMT

Thats cool. Least they know. That covers their end. Freeze your reports. Only thaw when applying. Lucky they didnt go after your credit. That would have been a real mess.