Tax Fraud - A Growing Problem
Americans have lost billions of dollars to a debilitating viral scam. It targets anyone with a name, birthday, and social security number. It’s called "tax identity theft" and it's more than a threat, it’s a reality.
H&R Block has developed the Tax Identity Shield® to help better protect you from becoming a victim of tax identity theft. Tax Identity Shield® offers unique protection that provides you with tools that give you confidence knowing you are taking the right steps to reduce your risk of tax identity theft.
A Tool To Help You Better Protect Yourself From Tax Identity Theft.
Proactive Defense
Assistance obtaining additional identity theft protections offered by the IRS (including an Identity Protection PIN and Identity Theft Indicator)Disclaimer number 96. Scroll to bottom of page. to help better protect against thieves filing a fraudulent tax return with your information (subject to eligibility).
Detect and Notify
A tax eFile notification if your information is detected on a tax return filed through H&R Block.
Risk Alert & Information
A Tax Identity theft risk assessment to determine if your information may be at risk and steps you can take to help reduce your risk Disclaimer number 103. Scroll to bottom of page..
Equifax® Credit Score & Credit Report
For the primary taxpayer, access your Equifax® Credit Score and Credit ReportDisclaimer number 98. Scroll to bottom of page..
The Equifax Credit Score is based on an Equifax Credit Score model and 3rd parties are likely to use a different score to assess your creditworthiness.
Restoration Assistance
Access to tax identity restoration assistance to help restore your tax identity if necessaryDisclaimer number 97. Scroll to bottom of page..
Educate
Information on the latest scams and threats as well as what you can do to reduce your risk of becoming a victim.
Tax Identity Theft Is On The Rise.
Criminals can file a false tax return in your name to collect a refund from the IRS. Your name, social security number, and birth date are all a thief needs to file a fraudulent tax return. Learn more about Tax Identity Theft and what you can do to reduce the risk of becoming a victim.
Read Our Frequently Asked Questions:
Tax Identity Theft occurs when a thief uses your information to file a fraudulent tax return to steal money from the IRS.
Tax Identity Theft is a relatively easy crime to commit; all a thief needs to file a fraudulent tax return is your name, birth date and social security number.
Criminals obtain personal information from a lost/stolen purse or wallet, unsecured mail or documents in the home, phishing schemes (phone or email), obtaining access to personal information via banks, bills, hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, schools, government offices, etc.
- Resolution can take several months or even years, resulting in significant delays in receiving your tax refund or filing the return.
- Resolution may require substantial paperwork and long interactions with appropriate authorities.
- You may be responsible for proving that the return is fraudulent and income documents are fake.
- Your information may be at risk for other forms of identity theft.