The Archdiocese of Seattle initially issued a memo alert on March 7^th that some Archdiocesan employees and volunteers are victims of a national tax refund fraud. The link to the most recent Archdiocese memo is http://www.seattlearchdiocese.org/Archdiocese/Action.aspx.

This checklist of steps was developed to address issues surrounding potential tax fraud and identity theft. These steps expand upon the steps recommended by the Archdiocese in their memo, providing additional information and detail. Please contact Mary Simpson if you have any questions.

1. Contact the IRS (recommended to all)): – This is the first and most important step. It is strongly recommended that you check your tax status with the IRS regardless of whether you have filed your taxes or not. Confirm by calling 1-800-908-4490 extension 245. Then, MOST IMPORTANTLY, complete form 14039 (Attached) either way. Check the appropriate box for whether a fraudulent return has been filed (box 1) or an attempt has been made (box 2).
2. IRS TAX Transcript (recommended to all): Request an IRS transcript to get a historical record of transactions and filings that have taken place on your social security account. Log onto the IRS website to check your tax transcript. The link is: http://www.irs.gov/Individuals/Get-Transcript and create an account.
3. IRS Pin Code (recommended to all): Obtain a pin code from the IRS that will be required when an electronic return is filed. Tax Returns will be rejected if this pin is not entered. Even if you paper file this added level of protection will prevent fraudulent electronic tax filings. The link to get a PIN is http://www.irs.gov/Individuals/Electronic-Filing-PIN-Request or you can call 1-866-704-7388. Note if you have already confirmed as being a victim of tax fraud, the IRS pin will be issued after the documented tax fraud has been resolved.
4. Contact IRS Special Agent : If you have a confirmed case of actual or attempted tax fraud, please contact Supervisory Special Agent Leia Bellis in the Criminal Investigation Unit of the IRS. Her phone number is 206-464-4920.
5. Contact School Principal and PAA: If you have a confirmed case of actual or attempted tax fraud or identity theft, report the incident via email to Mary Simpson [email protected]. Please indicate if there was an attempt or you were an actual victim of tax fraud and/or identity theft.
6. Contact the Archdiocese : If you have a confirmed case of actual or attempted tax fraud or identity theft, report the incident by email to [email protected]
7. Contact Social Security (recommended to all): call 1-800-772-1213 and describe the situation. Request to set up a special account in order for you monitor wage activity (note you may be requested to come in person to your local social security office to set this up). The nearest social security offices are located at 151 SW 156^th, Burien, 675 S Lane, Seattle, and 901 Lenora, Seattle, and their phone number is 1-800-772-1213. Please remember to bring government issued identification and your social security card with you.
8. Police Report (recommended to all): File a police report even if your information has not (yet) been used to file a tax return. Remember if they have your information (possibly have sold it to others as well) and they could use it at ANY time from now until forever and/or they are caught (potentially), so even if they haven't used it to file anything yet, they still could down the line. This should flag you for 3-7 years. Go to http://www.seattle.gov/police/report/default.htm, scroll down and click "File a Report." Then click "Identity Theft," and then select "yes" to the first question, "Does this incident involve an unauthorized person using facts about you (date of birth, Social Security number, address, etc.) to fraudulently open a new credit account, utility service, or file a tax return. etc.?" Click "no" to next two and "yes" on the last one. This is assuming your identity may be stolen in the future, even if it hasn't been stolen yet.
9. FTC Report: If you have a confirmed case of actual or attempted tax fraud, create an Identity Theft report with the FTC. The FTC information can be found at: https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/ and select Identity theft in the category on the menu located on the right hand section of the website. Once a selection is made a series of questions will guide you in completing a report.
10. Credit Reporting Agencies (recommended to all): Request a copy of your credit report from Equifax. Place a fraud alert on your credit report by calling 1-888-766-0008. Equifax will report the fraud and alert the other credit reporting agencies such as Transunion and Experian. You are also eligible for a free report, which you can check by going to http://www.annualcreditreport.com/ to get your free report under the FACT Act. For other report options and other credit features such as a credit lock or security freeze, you can go to www.equifax.com/fcra or call 1-800-685-1111 or 1-800-525-6285.
11. Contact your personal financial institution (recommended to all): These include (banks, retirement accounts, investments, credit cards) and explain the situation and ask what steps they have in place to protect your account or alert you when suspicious activity occurs. Ask If you can set up a verbal passcode, alerts or questions with your bank or financial institution which will be used from now on when interacting and transacting with them.
12. Retirement and Pension Accounts (recommended to all): For all employees, contact Transamerica If you have retirement/pension through the Archdiocese, the phone number and website for your pension and 403B is 1-800-755-5801 and the website is https://www.trsretire.com. We recommend calling them to have them check for suspicious activity as well as set up extra security measures (especially because if your information has been stolen the thieves may have your mother's maiden name, for example). If you have not already created a PIN, you will be asked to create one. You can also add a security question.
13. Dependent and Minors: The Credit agencies such as Equifax have products that will enable you to verify and monitor your children or dependent’s tax and credit accounts. Let them know you are interested and they can provide you information on steps to take to verify if they are at risk.