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. How do I report a breach of payroll or tax information from within my organization to the Wisconsin Department of Revenue?
   
   
5. What can I do to protect my Wisconsin tax account?
   
   
6. Where can I find identity theft resources?
   
   

1. What is 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
   • 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
     
     
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.
   • Complete the Identity Theft Declaration (Form ID-100) and mail it to the department. We do not accept this form through email as email is not a secure way to transmit confidential information.
     
     
3. How do I request a copy of a Wisconsin identity theft return filed in my name?
   
   

   To request 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.
   
   Be aware that 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. How do I report a breach of payroll or tax information from within 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 should notify the Wisconsin DOR by emailing DORIDTheft@wisconsin.gov. Your email should include:

   • 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 personally identifiable information (PII) for impacted employees or customers in your email.

   You can find contact information for other state taxing agencies on the Federation of Tax Administrators website.

5. What can I do to protect my Wisconsin tax account?
   
   

   The Wisconsin Department of Revenue (DOR) offers a voluntary Identity Protection PIN. The purpose of obtaining a Wisconsin Identity Protection PIN is to prevent unauthorized persons from filing an income tax return using your personal information. See WI Identity Protection PIN common questions for more information.

6. Where can I find identity theft resources?
   
   
   • Internal Revenue Service
   • Federal Trade Commission
   • Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP)
   • DATCP Credit Report Security Freeze information:
     IDTheftCreditReportFreeze632.pdf (wi.gov)
   
   

November 27, 2023