AUCTIONS AND SALES
THE SALESMAN • Central, Eastern and Heart O’ Lakes • July 19, 2015 • Page 10
What to do if someone files a false tax return in your name By Jason Alderman Identity the� is one of the fastest-growing fraud issues at the Internal Revenue Service. Online thieves have been capturing Social Security numbers and other tax filing data to file fraudulent returns, principally for the purpose of stealing refunds. Just this past tax season, TurboTax, the leading tax preparation so�ware company, had to stop transmi�ing state tax returns and introduce new safeguards a�er a run of suspicious returns. In March, the U.S. Treasury Department reported slightly over 2.9 million incidents of tax-related identity the� in 2013, up from 1.8 million in 2012. As to dollar loss, in January, the General Accounting Office (GAO) said the IRS had prevented an estimated
$24.2 billion in fraudulent identity the� tax refunds in 2013, but actually paid $5.8 billion in refunds later determined to be fraudulent. In terms of damage, tax identity the� is really no different than any other form of identity the�. Thieves illegally obtain your Social Security number through online or other resources and then go to work on your finances and reputation. The first you’ll see of it will be on your credit report in the form of unfamiliar (and likely unpaid) accounts or unusual credit inquiries from employers or agencies you’ve never contacted. The problem may take months or years to straighten out. Hearing about a false tax return might take time. Many taxpayers find out they’ve been hacked via a physical let-
ter from the U.S. Postal Service – the IRS never sends (h�p:// w w w. i r s . g o v / u a c / R e p o r t Phishing) taxpayer-specific correspondence via email –indicating that a duplicate return has been filed in the taxpayer’s name. That means a significant amount of time might have passed between the hack and the taxpayer learning about the problem. Electronic filers might find out sooner because their return might bounce if a fraudulent one was successfully filed earlier. Recent reports quote the IRS as saying it tries to se�le such cases within 4-6 months, but news reports have indicated wait times might be longer. This is why anyone dealing with identity the� needs to move fast and be actively involved in containing the damage. Regulators can’t do it for
you and advertised services that say they can handle everything probably won’t. You’ll need to investigate and clean up your own records. If you’ve been hit, first go to the identity the� action pages on both the Federal Trade Commission (h�p://www.consumer.�c.gov/articles/0008-taxrelated-identity-the�) and the IRS (h�p://www.irs.gov/Individuals/Identity-Protection) websites for immediate ways to deal with the problem. Start with the following immediate steps: Order your current credit reports and set a fraud alert on each at the three major consumer credit rating agencies – Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Follow up to make sure those alerts are active. Set up a physical or computer-based file where you
can organize, date and file all contacts, communications and paperwork associated with your case and keep track of any fraudulent transactions that occur. Create an identity the� report (h�p://www.consumer.�c. gov/articles/0277-create-identity-the�-report) with the FTC and your local police department. This will help you document your contacts with regulators and law enforcement if there is an arrest. Make a call list for all creditors, banks, investment companies, utilities and your employer to let them know about the breach. If you work with qualified financial and tax experts, inform them too. If you’ve spo�ed fraudulent accounts, contact those entities to put a freeze on them and thereby limit potential losses.
If you’ve never experienced this type of identity the�, don’t take your luck for granted. Even if you file your taxes by regular mail, make sure you set up your own personal IRS e-services (h�p://www.irs.gov/ uac/Step-1-Create-an-IRS-eservices-Account) account, because reports have surfaced that identity thieves are opening false accounts with stolen taxpayer data. Finally, schedule receipt throughout the year of your three credit reports, which you can receive free once a year. Bo�om line: Anywhere your Social Security number goes, identity thieves follow – this tax filing season proved that. Safeguard your data and check your credit reports several times a year for irregularities. Jason Alderman directs Visa’s financial education programs.
Calendar of events - week of July 19 The Salesman Our Brooklyn Office is located at 129 S. Main St., Brooklyn in the lower level (Below Farmers Insurance • Next to Old National Bank)
Your ads can be placed here each week Wednesday from 10:00 a.m.–5 p.m. or call your ad in to 517-592-5886, 517-788-5962, 517-783-4080 or 517-524-8540 Mon.–Thurs. 8 a.m.–5 p.m., Fri. 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
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July 19 • Michigan’s Shakespeare Festival presents “The Rivals” - 2pm, Baughman Theatre, 2111 Emmons Rd., Jackson. For tickets call 517796-8600 • Canoe and Kayak on the Grand River with G.R.E.A.T - 11:30am, meet at the canoe access at Vandercook Lake County Park. 517-416-4234 • Walker Tavern Farmers Market - 10am-2pm, Walker Tavern Historic Site, 13220 M 50, Brooklyn. • Lakeview Ford’s 5th annual Kickball Classic - 10am, Bailey Park, 1392 Capital Ave NE, Battle Creek.
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READERS: THIS PUBLICATION DOES NOT KNOWINGLY ACCEPT advertising which is deceptive, fraudulent, or which might otherwise violate the law or accepted standards of taste. However, this publication does not warrant or guarantee the accuracy of any advertisement, nor the quality of the goods or services advertised. Readers are cautioned to thoroughly investigate all claims made in any advertisements, and to use good judgment and reasonable care, (particularly when dealing with persons unknown to you who ask for money in advance of delivery of the goods or services advertised.)
www.facebook.com/kickballclassicusa • Swingin’ at the Shell - 6 p.m., live music at the Victory Park Bandshell, Albion. July 20 - 25 • Bluegrass Festival - all day, Calhoun County Fairgrounds, 20 Fair St, Marshall. Visit www.calhouncountyfair. org or call 269-781-8161 July 20 • Al-Anon Meeting 10:30am, 12-step program for anyone affected by someone else’s drinking, First Presbyterian Church, Jackson. 517937-9503. • Jackson Duelist Yu-GiOh Club - 3-5pm, JDL’s, Eastern Branch, 3125 E. Michigan Ave., Jackson. 517788-4074 • Community Playgroup 10:30am, stories, play time and snacks as well as parenting support and tips. Intended for children 0-5 years old with parent/guardian. JDL’s Brooklyn Branch, 207 N. Main St., Brooklyn. 517-592-3406 July 21 • Jackson Breakfast Rotar y - 7-8am, Steve’s Ranch Restaurant, 311 Louis Glick Highway, Jackson, 517 796 9823. • Tuesday Morning Explorers - 9am, natural history tour, The Dahlem Conservancy, 7117 S. Jackson Rd., Jackson, 517-782-3453. • A Taste of Tech - 12pm, bring your digital device and cords, JDL’s, Carnegie Branch, 244 W. Michigan Ave., Jackson. 517-788-4087 • Food Addicts in recover y anonymous (FA) Meeting - 6:30pm, 1st Church of the Nazarene, 3737 Clinton Rd., Jackson, 517-796-2054 or 517-630-0144. • Harmonica Club Meetings - 7-9pm, Boos Center, Loomis Park, 21 Gilbert St., Jackson. July 22 • Irish Hills Crafters 9-11:30am, knit and crochet items for needy children, veterans and other organizations that can use their items, Columbia Township Hall, 8500 Jefferson Rd., Brooklyn. • Walker Tavern Historic Site ‘Around the Campfire’ program - 2-3pm, Walker Tavern Historic Site, 13220 M 50, Brooklyn. • Summer Lunch Program - noon, crafts and activities after lunch, in the park across the street from Napoleon United Methodist Church, 210 Nottawa Sepee Rd, Napoleon. (517) 536-8609 • Grass Lake Community Walking Program - 6pm, Stoker Field, 500 S. Union Street, Grass Lake. • Senior Yoga - 9:30am, JDL’s, Meijer Branch, 2699 Airport Rd., Jackson. 517-
788-4480 • Knitting - 1pm, Knitters and crocheters of all ages, JDL’s, Henrietta Branch, 11744 Bunkerhill Rd., Pleasant Lake. 517-769-6537 July 23 - 25 • Tibbits Theatre Presents “Pippin” - Tibbits Theatre, 14 South Hanchett St., Coldwater. For tickets and showtimes call 517-278-6029 July 23 • Sit n’ Stitch Group 1-3pm, Forks Senior Center, 1418 Cooper St., Albion. 517629-3842. • Wine and Paint Party 6-9pm, The Hunt Club, 1514 Daniel Rd, Jackson. Call 517-782-0375 to reserve, $35 cash, night of. • Picnic on the Lawn Concert - 6-8pm, Sarah Bernstein & Luke Lenhart, Walker Tavern Historic Site, 13220 M 50, Brooklyn. • Walker Tavern Historic Site celebrates 50th anniversary with archaeology and music - 1-3pm, Walker Tavern Historic Site, 13220 M 50, Brooklyn. • Ella’s Patio Party - 5:307:30 pm, on the Granary Patio, live music, drinks, a snack, and the opportunity to wander the galleries and our sculpture-filled grounds. For more information call the museum at 517-787-2320. $ • Jackson Duelist Yu-GiOh - 3pm, JDL’s, Carnegie Branch, 244 W. Michigan Ave., Jackson. 517-788-4087 July 24 • Sit n’ Stitch - 12:30pm, JDL’s, Eastern Branch, 3125 E. Michigan Ave., Jackson. 517-788-4074 • Music in the Park 6-9:30pm, an event for the grown up crowd, bring your cards and dominos, Holland Park, 100 N Albion St., Albion. • Albion Historical Society Membership Drive - 11am.4pm, Albion Financial Institutions and Family Fare. • Al-Anon Meeting 10:30am, 12-step program for anyone affected by someone else’s drinking, First Presbyterian Church, Jackson. 517-
937-9503. • Every Hero Has a Story – Summer Movies at Concord - 3pm, The Incredibles , popcorn, JDL’s Concord Branch 108 S. Main St., Concord. 517-905-1379 • Cruise In - 6pm, Michigan Ave between Mechanic and Blackstone, Jackson. • Arts in the Park - 7pm, Brooklyn’s Swain’s Memorial Park, For more information call the chamber at 517-5928907. July 25 • Paddle the Kalamazoo 8:30am-3pm, be sure to bring a life preserver and any sun screen, bug spray, sundry snacks, and drinks Grist Mill Park, W. M 60, Homer. (517) 629-5533 • Civil War Days - 11am4pm, Paddock Hubbard House, 317 Hanover Street, Concord. July 26 • Sunday Morning Breakfast - 8-11am, Jackson County Outdoor Club, 3550 Hart Rd., Jackson. • Ice Cream Social - 4-6pm, Christ Lutheran Church, 4250 Page Ave., Michigan Center. • The Homer Historical Society’s 15th annual car show - Registration begins at 9am, The show features all makes, models and years of cars, trucks, and vintage pedal bicycles, Blair Historical Farm, one-mile east of Homer at 26441 M-60 East. • Walker Tavern Farmers Market - 10am-2pm, Walker Tavern Historic Site, 13220 M 50, Brooklyn. • Swingin’ at the Shell - 6 p.m., live music at the Victory Park Bandshell, Albion.
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