IRS contacted me about wages for a company I never worked for

[Tenant4toolong]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? NJ

I got a letter from the IRS for my 2008 taxes claiming they recieved a W2 from an employer I never worked for but it had my SS# on it.
I called and told them I didn't work there, the rep. told me I would get something in the mail in 45 days about thier decision...
Can they legally make me pay for wages I didn't earn? I have read horror stories about the IRS so of course I am beyond worried.

I also googled the company and got a number so I called and told them about the letter and never having worked there and asked for a copy of the SS card and ID of this employee (or asked if they would send it to IRS to prove it's not me) and they said they don't have any of that in the employee folder all they have is a I9 and W4 form. What to do?

I remember losing my IDs in a move from NY to NJ so not sure someone got a hold of it.

 

[Isis1]

You really REALLY need to check your credit for identity fraud.

 

[Tenant4toolong]

Isis...I did and there isn't anything on it (excpet my own CC and a BK from 2001). Since there wasn't anything "suspicious" on it I could not file a police report for ID theft.

 

[Isis1]

Isis...I did and there isn't anything on it (excpet my own CC and a BK from 2001). Since there wasn't anything "suspicious" on it I could not file a police report for ID theft.

Then it's quite possible it was either a clerical error, or someone just looking for employment only. It would still be identity theft. And you should file a report.

The IRS is usually pretty good about these situations if you are able to prove it's not you. Such as the location of the company. Is it physically possible for you to work for that company from where you live and where you actually did work at the time this compan claims you worked for them?

 

[Tenant4toolong]

Is it physically possible for you to work for that company from where you live and where you actually did work at the time this compan claims you worked for them?

In 2008 I lived in NY and this company is located in NJ about an hour away so I guess technically I could have communted there. I was however unemployed and collecting unemployment through the state of NY.

 

[Isis1]

Isis...I did and there isn't anything on it (excpet my own CC and a BK from 2001). Since there wasn't anything "suspicious" on it I could not file a police report for ID theft.

In 2008 I lived in NY and this company is located in NJ about an hour away so I guess technically I could have communted there. I was however unemployed and collecting unemployment through the state of NY.

We have a tax professional in this forum, so at this point i'll defer to her. You being on unemployment at the time, may be a more sticky mess.

I'll try to send her pm.

 

[Tenant4toolong]

Thank you Isis! And at the more sticky mess part.

 

[davew128]

I was however unemployed and collecting unemployment through the state of NY.

Because people have never scammed unemployment.

I also googled the company and got a number so I called and told them about the letter and never having worked there and asked for a copy of the SS card and ID of this employee (or asked if they would send it to IRS to prove it's not me) and they said they don't have any of that in the employee folder all they have is a I9 and W4 form. What to do?

They're not obligated (in fact I think they cannot) to show any of that documentation to you. Now the IRS, ICE, or relevant NJ agencies on the other hand.....

Look you told the IRS your story. They will contact the employer and ask for verification of documents. If you truly didn't work for this company at all then either its a clerical error and the SSN numbers got erroneously entered or transposed, or someone (I won't mention ethnicity) here illegally is using your name and SSN for work.

Those are the options.

 

[Tenant4toolong]

Because people have never scammed unemployment.

Oh I have read some of the threads here on that....so I see your point!

They're not obligated (in fact I think they cannot) to show any of that documentation to you. Now the IRS, ICE, or relevant NJ agencies on the other hand.....

Look you told the IRS your story. They will contact the employer and ask for verification of documents. If you truly didn't work for this company at all then either its a clerical error and the SSN numbers got erroneously entered or transposed, or someone (I won't mention ethnicity) here illegally is using your name and SSN for work.

Those are the options.

If the employer is telling the truth and they don't have any id on this employee (I don't even know if this employee is still an employee) will this be in my favor (i.e compare my state ID to this persons ID to show NOT the same person) or will it woek against me (nothing to show it wasn't me)?

If it is some illegal How can I stop it from happening again? I read a story on CNN.com about a women who had SEVERAL people working under her SS#.....Where's the YIKES icon!

Thanks for the reply!

 

[LdiJ]

There is one other thing that you could do that I have found to be very effective with the IRS.

You physically go to the company in question and explain your problem. You ask to see the supervisor of the employee who used your name and SSN. You show them your ID to prove who you are.

You ask the supervisor if he/she recognizes you as that employee. When he/she says no you ask them to write a letter, on company letterhead, stating that you are not the person who was employed under your name and social. If the company happens to have a notary on staff you ask that the letter be notarized...if not, then don't worry about that.

You provide the letter to the IRS along with your written declaration of the identity theft, and the police report made when you reported it.

 

[Tenant4toolong]

LDIJ.....Thank you! I will do that.

As far as the ID theft....I tried to file a report but since there was no suspicious activity on my credit report the officer wouldn't allow me to (in my town now).

I want to try again so do you recommend that I go to the police station of the town of this employer instead? I would think with the IRS letter and letter from this company it should show someone is using my ID w/o permission.

Oh how is this for funny (or maybe not) I googled the address for the co. to go there and it's less than half a mile from me just in a different county!

 

[LdiJ]

LDIJ.....Thank you! I will do that.

As far as the ID theft....I tried to file a report but since there was no suspicious activity on my credit report the officer wouldn't allow me to (in my town now).

I want to try again so do you recommend that I go to the police station of the town of this employer instead? I would think with the IRS letter and letter from this company it should show someone is using my ID w/o permission.

Oh how is this for funny (or maybe not) I googled the address for the co. to go there and it's less than half a mile from me just in a different county!

Go to the police for a report after you get the letter from the company. They should be more willing to assist you then.

 

[Tenant4toolong]

Bad news! (for me at least)...Went in person after my interview and they won't help me at all....no letter, no acknowledgement that I don't work there, no ackownledgment that my SS is being used or that there was an error....won't even look at letter from IRS or my id.

Guess I have to wait it out with IRS

 

[LdiJ]

Bad news! (for me at least)...Went in person after my interview and they won't help me at all....no letter, no acknowledgement that I don't work there, no ackownledgment that my SS is being used or that there was an error....won't even look at letter from IRS or my id.

Guess I have to wait it out with IRS

I am sorry...unfortunately that means that they knew darned well that the social didn't belong to the person they hired.