Someone claimed my children on their taxes - identity theft help needed ASAP

You're dealing with a potential case of tax-related identity theft. Here's what you need to do in exactly this order: 1. File a paper return immediately with Form 14039 (Identity Theft Affidavit) attached 2. Include all documentation proving you're entitled to claim your children (school records, medical records, etc.) 3. Contact the IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit at 800-908-4490 within 3 business days of filing 4. File a report with the FTC at IdentityTheft.gov 5. Place a fraud alert with 1 of the 3 major credit bureaus Be prepared for a processing delay of approximately 180 days while the IRS investigates. The current backlog for identity theft cases is running between 120-210 days according to the most recent Taxpayer Advocate report.

Have you checked if your children's Social Security Numbers were compromised in any data breaches? The IRS Authentication Taxonomy identifies dependent-related identity theft as one of the fastest growing subcategories of tax fraud in the current filing season. Do you have any reason to believe your ex or another family member might have access to their SSNs?

I went through this exact situation on February 15th this year. Tried calling the IRS for three straight days with no luck - always disconnected due to "high call volume." Finally used Claimyr (https://claimyr.com) and got through to an actual IRS agent in about 30 minutes. They confirmed it was identity theft, walked me through the paper filing process, and even put notes on my account about the situation. Saved me days of frustration and got the process started right away instead of waiting weeks to even speak with someone.

Oh my goodness, I feel your pain! 😫 This happened to me last year and I was absolutely DEVASTATED! Make sure you also check all three credit reports for your children immediately - not just yours. I discovered that the person who stole my child's information had also opened a credit card in their name. You'll need to contact each bureau separately to freeze your children's credit reports. I spent hours gathering every possible document - birth certificates, school records, medical bills, custody agreements, even photos of us together throughout the year. The more documentation you have, the smoother the process will be when you have to prove they're your dependents.

Is anyone else wondering how these scammers keep getting away with this? How do they even have enough information to claim someone else's kids? Wouldn't the IRS have some kind of system to verify dependents before accepting returns? This happens every year to thousands of people and yet they can't figure out how to stop it?

I understand your frustration, but the tax system is like a massive cruise ship - it takes time to change direction. The IRS is actually improving their verification systems, but it's like trying to patch a dam while water's still flowing through it. They've implemented new safeguards this year, but identity thieves are constantly finding new ways around them. It's frustrating for sure, but there are legitimate processes to resolve these issues, even if they're not as quick as we'd like.

My sister-in-law had this happen in 2023, and it was a real headache to fix, but there is light at the end of the tunnel! 😅 The paper filing process feels like something from the stone age compared to e-filing, but it does work. The funniest part was when she got a letter saying "we received your paper return" a full 8 weeks after she mailed it - like thanks for the update, IRS! Her refund took about 5 months total to process, but she did eventually get everything she was entitled to, including the Child Tax Credit. Just keep super detailed records of everything you send and every person you talk to.

I work as a tax preparer and have helped several clients through this process. The Identity Theft Victim Assistance (IDTVA) program at the IRS has specific protocols for handling dependent-related identity theft. When you submit Form 14039 with your paper return, you'll receive acknowledgment within 30 days. Then an examiner will be assigned to your case within 60-90 days. They'll contact both you and the other party who claimed your children. You'll need to provide documentation showing the children lived with you for more than half the year, your relationship to them, and that you provided financial support. The entire process typically takes 120-180 days to resolve, but your refund will include interest for the delay period.

This is identity theft. You need to take immediate action: • File a paper tax return with Form 14039 (Identity Theft Affidavit) • Contact all three credit bureaus to place fraud alerts • File a police report for documentation purposes • Check your children's credit reports (yes, they have them) • Consider credit freezes for your children • Report to FTC at IdentityTheft.gov • Keep detailed records of all communications The IRS will investigate both returns and determine which is legitimate. This process takes time but they will ultimately correct the situation. You'll still receive your proper refund amount with interest.

I'm so sorry this happened to you! As someone who went through this exact situation two years ago, I want to emphasize a few things that really helped me get through it: First, don't panic - while it's incredibly stressful, the IRS does have systems in place to handle this and you WILL get your legitimate refund. The paper filing with Form 14039 is absolutely the right move, and make sure you send it certified mail so you have proof of delivery. One thing I wish someone had told me - start documenting EVERYTHING right now. Take photos of your children's birth certificates, school enrollment records, medical records, even grocery receipts that show you're providing for them. The more evidence you have that they live with you and you support them, the smoother the resolution process will be. Also, consider getting an Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN) for both yourself and your children once this is resolved. It's a 6-digit number that prevents anyone from filing a return using your SSN without that PIN. You can request it through the IRS website once your case is closed. Hang in there - it's a long process but you'll get through this!