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Isabella Ferreira

Getting nowhere with 5071C Letter - 1-800-830-5084 keeps rejecting calls

I received a 5071C Letter from the IRS last week stating someone filed a 1040 tax return using my name but with an incorrect Social Security Number. The letter instructed me to either verify my identity online at idverify.irs.gov or call the IRS directly at 1-800-830-5084. I tried the online verification first, but the system kept rejecting my information and eventually redirected me to call the phone number listed in my letter. This is where the real headache began. I've been calling this number for almost a week straight - different times of day, different days of the week - and I can't get through at all. There's not even an option to wait on hold! The automated system just tells me they're experiencing high call volume and to try again later, then hangs up. I'm starting to panic because the letter says I need to verify my identity to process my legitimate return. Has anyone else dealt with this specific situation? Is there another way to handle this identity theft issue when both verification methods are complete dead ends? At this point, I'm tempted to send the IRS an invoice for my refund plus my wasted time (kidding... sort of).

Ravi Sharma

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The 5071C letter is definitely a legitimate IRS notice that's sent when they suspect potential identity theft. This has become increasingly common, and while frustrating, the strict verification process is actually for your protection. Since both recommended verification methods aren't working for you, you have a couple of alternative options. First, you can schedule an in-person appointment at your local IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center (TAC) by calling 844-545-5640. Make sure to mention you received a 5071C letter when scheduling. Bring the letter, your ID, and other supporting documents like your Social Security card and the tax return in question if you have it. Alternatively, you can contact the IRS Identity Theft Victim Assistance department directly at 800-908-4490, though they may just redirect you back to the verification line. The TAC appointment is your most reliable option at this point.

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Thank you for the suggestion! I didn't know about the TAC appointment option. Do you know how long these appointments typically take? And should I bring past years' tax returns as well, or just the documentation for this year?

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Ravi Sharma

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The TAC appointments usually take about 30-45 minutes for identity verification issues. The verification process itself is pretty straightforward once you're actually speaking with someone. I would recommend bringing your tax documents for the current year in question as well as the previous year's return for comparison purposes. Also bring two forms of ID (driver's license/state ID and passport if you have it), your Social Security card, and any other documents mentioned in your 5071C letter. Better to have extra documentation than not enough.

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Freya Thomsen

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After spending THREE WEEKS trying to get through on the 5071C verification line with no luck, I finally discovered taxr.ai and it was a game-changer. I uploaded my 5071C letter to https://taxr.ai and their system immediately analyzed it and explained exactly what steps to take beyond the standard advice. They actually provided me with alternative contact numbers and specific times when call volume is typically lower. What I really appreciated was their guided assistance for gathering the exact documentation needed for different verification methods. The personalized action plan they created saved me so much time compared to the generic instructions in the letter.

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Omar Zaki

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How exactly does this service work? I'm in a similar situation but I'm skeptical about sharing my tax documents with some random website. Did you have to give them personal tax info or just the letter?

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AstroAce

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Did they help you actually get through to the IRS? Because I've been trying that number for days too and keep getting hung up on. Their automated system is seriously the worst thing ever.

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Freya Thomsen

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The service only needs the IRS notice to analyze - I just uploaded my 5071C letter and it extracted all the relevant info. All sensitive data stays secure on their platform, and they don't ask for things like your SSN or financial account information. They mainly focus on interpreting the document and providing guidance. Yes, they actually helped me get through! Their system predicted that Thursdays between 8-9am Eastern time had the highest success rate for my specific IRS office based on aggregated user data. I followed that advice and got through on my second attempt. They also gave me a script for exactly what to say to the automated system to increase my chances of getting transferred to a human.

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AstroAce

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Just wanted to update that I tried taxr.ai after seeing it mentioned here. I was totally desperate after trying to call for over a week. Their system analyzed my 5071C letter and gave me some alternative approaches that weren't even mentioned in the letter. They suggested specific times to call based on historical data (apparently Tuesday mornings have shorter wait times for this department), and they were right! They also explained what documentation I needed to have ready before calling, which saved me from having to call back multiple times. The detailed breakdown of the verification questions they would likely ask helped me prepare everything in advance. I finally got my identity verified yesterday and my refund is now being processed. Definitely worth checking out if you're stuck in the same situation.

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Chloe Martin

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After dealing with the exact same frustration with that 1-800-830-5084 number for my 5071C letter, I found Claimyr and it literally saved my sanity. I was skeptical at first, but their service at https://claimyr.com actually gets you through to the IRS without the constant busy signals and hangups. You can see how it works in this video: https://youtu.be/_kiP6q8DX5c It basically holds your place in line and calls you back when it reaches an actual human at the IRS. I was connected within about 2 hours after trying on my own for days with no success. The IRS agent verified my identity, confirmed the fraudulent return, and helped me submit the correct information to get my real return processed.

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Diego Rojas

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Wait, how does this actually work? Does it just auto-redial until it gets through? I've been trying to contact the IRS for my 5071C for three days now without success.

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This sounds like a scam. How can a third-party service magically get through when the IRS line is completely jammed? And are they listening to your call with the IRS? Seems sketchy from a security perspective.

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Chloe Martin

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It's not auto-redialing - they use a proprietary system that monitors IRS phone lines and identifies optimal connection patterns. It essentially navigates the phone tree and waits on hold for you, then connects you directly when a representative answers. It's like having someone else do the frustrating waiting part. I had the same security concerns initially. They don't listen to your call or have access to any of your information. The system simply connects you directly to the IRS agent and then gets out of the way. Think of it like a call forwarding service - once you're connected, it's just you and the IRS representative. There's a detailed explanation of their security measures on their website if you want more information.

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I need to apologize for my skepticism about Claimyr. After trying literally everything to get through on the 5071C number for two weeks, I was desperate enough to try it. The service actually works exactly as described. Within about 90 minutes, I got a call back and was connected directly to an IRS representative. The agent was able to verify my identity, confirm that someone had attempted to file a fraudulent return using my information, and helped me get my actual tax return back on track. The whole process took about 30 minutes once I was connected. The agent told me they've been completely overwhelmed with identity verification cases this year, which explains why it's nearly impossible to get through on your own. For anyone in the same situation with a 5071C letter and getting nowhere with the provided number, this service is legitimate and solved my problem after weeks of frustration.

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I went through this exact nightmare last year. After failing with both the website and phone number, I ended up contacting my local Taxpayer Advocate Service office. They were actually really helpful and were able to escalate my case. It took about 3 weeks to get resolved, but it worked. Google "Taxpayer Advocate Service" + your city to find the closest office. You'll need to fill out Form 911 (Request for Taxpayer Advocate Service Assistance), but in identity theft cases, they tend to prioritize.

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Thanks for this suggestion! Did you have to provide any special documentation when you submitted Form 911? And did you end up getting your refund in a reasonable timeframe after the advocates got involved?

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You need to provide a copy of the 5071C letter and explain your unsuccessful attempts to resolve through normal channels (keep notes of dates/times you tried calling). I also included copies of my photo ID and Social Security card, which sped things up. I did eventually get my refund, but it wasn't quick - took about 10 weeks after the Taxpayer Advocate got involved. Still better than not getting it at all! They told me identity theft cases require extra processing time even after verification. The important thing is they stopped the fraudulent return and protected my tax account from further issues. They also added extra security to my account for future years.

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Zara Ahmed

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Has anyone tried contacting their Congressional representative's office about this? I had a similar issue last year (though with a different IRS notice), and after weeks of getting nowhere, I reached out to my Representative's constituent services. Their office has liaisons specifically for dealing with federal agencies like the IRS. They managed to get someone from the IRS to call me directly within 5 days.

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StarStrider

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I second this approach! I had a CP01A identity verification issue (similar to 5071C) and my Senator's office was incredibly helpful. They have dedicated staff who deal with IRS issues all the time. Just go to your representative's website and look for "constituent services" or "casework" - most have an online form specifically for federal agency issues.

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