Antitrust Law Daily Wrap Up, CONSUMER PROTECTION NEWS: FTC promotes Tax Identity Theft Awareness Week, (Jan 14, 2015)
Organizations Mentioned:AARP
The FTC will conduct a number of events intended to educate consumers during “Tax Identity Theft Awareness Week,” running from January 26 through January 30, 2015, according to an agency announcement.
Tax identity theft typically occurs when a scammer files a fraudulent tax return using another individual’s social security number, receiving a refund electronically. A consumer typically discovers that they have been a victim of tax identity theft when they attempt to file their own tax return, only to be informed by the Internal Revenue Service that a return has already been filed in their name.
This year’s Tax Identity Theft Awareness Week events will include:
Jan. 27, 2 p.m.: an FTC webinar for consumers, co-hosted with the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration and AARP addressing how tax identity theft happens and what consumers should do if they become a victim.
Jan. 28, 1 p.m.: the FTC and the Veterans Administration will host a webinar with information about tax identity theft for veterans.
Jan. 29, 3 p.m.: the FTC and the Identity Theft Resource Center will co-host a Twitter chat about tax ID theft – consumers can join the conversation on #IDTheftChat.
The FTC also provides consumers with additional materials regarding tax identity theft at ftc.gov/taxidtheft.
News: ConsumerProtection FederalTradeCommissionNews