Identity Theft

1. What is tax-related identity theft?
   
   
2. How do I report tax-related identity theft to the Wisconsin Department of Revenue (DOR)?
   
   
3. How do I request a copy of a Wisconsin identity theft return filed in my name?
   
   
4. Where can I find identity theft resources?
   
   
5. How do I report a breach of payroll or tax information from my organization to the Wisconsin Department of Revenue?
   
   

1. What is tax-related identity theft?
   
   The Wisconsin Department of Revenue (DOR) is dedicated to helping Wisconsin taxpayers who become victims of tax-related identity theft. Tax-related identity theft occurs when your personal information is used to file a tax return and claim a refund without your permission.
   
   Be alert to possible tax-related identity theft if you:
   
   
   • Receive a letter from the Internal Revenue Service, DOR or another state tax agency about a tax return you did not file
   • Receive an unexpected tax refund check or tax refund offset notice
   • Get a prepaid debit card in the mail you did not request
   • File your tax return electronically, but your return is rejected because a return was already filed
   • Receive a tax return transcript you did not request
   • Receive a statement listing wages or other income you did not earn
     
     
   If you are a victim of tax-related identity theft, see How do I report tax-related identity theft to the Wisconsin Department of Revenue?
   
   
2. How do I report tax-related identity theft to the Wisconsin Department of Revenue (DOR)?
   
   
   • Contact us immediately by phone or email. If you received a notice from DOR, respond to the contact listed on the notice. If you did not receive a notice or have concerns about the validity of a notice, contact us at (608) 266-2772 or DORIDTheft@wisconsin.gov.
   • File a written complaint:
   1. Complete the Identity Theft Complaint and Non-Consent forms.
   2. File a report with your local police department.
   3. Mail your completed documents (Identity Theft Complaint, Non-Consent Form, and police report) to the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) as directed on the Identity Theft Complaint form.
      
      

   DATCP will send a copy of your forms to DOR. You can also mail a copy directly to us:

   MS 6-40
   Wisconsin Department of Revenue
   Office of Criminal Investigation - ID Theft
   PO Box 8933
   Madison, WI 53708-8933
   
   
3. How do I request a copy of a Wisconsin identity theft return filed in my name?
   
   To receive a copy of a fraudulent return filed using your name and social security number, follow the directions to request copies of previously filed returns. The $5.00 fee will be waived if you are a victim of identity theft. Be sure to note this in the comments section of your request.
   
   The copy provided will be redacted. DOR redacts personally identifiable information (PII) such as taxpayer names, social security numbers, addresses, telephone numbers, email addresses, bank routing and account numbers, signatures, and tax preparer and designee information.
   
   
4. Where can I find identity theft resources?
   
   
   • Internal Revenue Service
   • Federal Trade Commission
   • Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection
   
   
5. How do I report a breach of payroll or tax information from my organization to the Wisconsin Department of Revenue?
   
   Scams targeting tax practitioners, payroll professionals and employers are a growing problem. Cybercriminals are actively seeking accurate data about taxpayers in order to file fraudulent state and federal tax returns. If your organization experienced a data compromise, you can notify all state taxing agencies simultaneously by contacting the Federation of Tax Administrators (FTA). Send an email to StateAlert@taxadmin.org including:
   
   
   • Organization's name
   • Federal employer identification number (FEIN)
   • Brief description of the breach incident
   • Contact information of the individual who will be working with the state taxing agencies
     
     
   Do not include PII for impacted employees or customers in your email. The FTA will contact your organization's representative with recommended next steps including directions for sharing PII.
   
   

October 15, 2020