When Tax Fraud Won’t Go Away

Tax season used to be simple for David Parker. His accountant electronically filed taxes for his businesses and investments, and the refund arrived promptly in the mail.

But in the past few years, fraudsters have hit Parker again and again, despite IRS efforts to resolve the problem.

Parker is among a growing number of taxpayers who are becoming repeat victims of tax-related identity theft. “It’s a pattern we’re seeing on the rise,” said Brett Montgomery, who helps resolve identity fraud cases for Identity Theft 911. “The IRS investigation process takes so long to run its course, that victims are getting hit year after year. It’s a vicious cycle.”