The North Carolina Medical Society (NCMS) is still gathering information on doctors affected by the tax scam that came to light earlier this year in which someone is filing false tax returns using doctors’ information. We have been reporting this information to the authorities. Since April, our call and email volume has decreased, but we continue to receive several notifications from North Carolina physicians weekly. This scam has been reported in most states and is not unique to doctors, but physicians and other health care providers seem to be disproportionately affected.

If you think you’ve been victimized, take these steps and act quickly:

• IRS – If you are a victim of this scam, you’ll note the IRS 5071C letter you receive provides instructions about contacting the IRS through its identity theft website or by phone at (800) 830-5084 to let officials know you did not file the return referenced in their letter. If you are a victim, you may not be able to electronically file your return this year since a return with your Social Security number has already been filed. You’ll need to file a paper return and attach an IRS 14039 Identity Theft Affidavit to describe what happened.Attach copies of any notices you received from the IRS, like the 5071C letter. Be sure to let your tax preparer know if this happens to you. Verify with the IRS and your tax preparer where to mail your paper tax return, based on the type of return you are filing and your geographic area.If you have not received a notification from the IRS but believe your personal information may have been used fraudulently or are concerned about whether you may have been victimized, call the IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit at (800) 908-4490. Find more information from the IRS, including forms, at the IRS website.
• Office of the North Carolina Attorney General – Physicians affected should contact the North Carolina Attorney General’s Office at 1-877-5-NO-SCAM toll free within North Carolina or file a consumer complaint online at http://www.ncdoj.gov/. Their website also lists steps for identity theft victims to take.
• Federal Trade Commission (FTC) – File a complaint with the FTC here. This not only helps the FTC identify patterns of abuse, but the printed version becomes your Identity Theft Affidavit. Along with a police report, that affidavit becomes your Identity Theft Report, which you will need. The FTC recommends other immediate steps and provides helpful information here.
• Police report – Consider filing a report with the local police where you reside. Bring all documentation available, including any state and federal complaints you filed. This will likely be necessary if there is financial account fraud as a result of the identity theft. However, if the only fraud is tax fraud, the police report will be necessary only if requested by the IRS.
• Social Security – Call the Social Security Administration’s fraud hotline at (800) 269-0271 to report fraudulent use of your Social Security number. In case your number is being used for fraudulent employment, you can also request your Personal Earnings and Benefit Estimates Statement here or call (800) 772-1213. Check it for accuracy.

• U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) – Consult the DOJ website for additional information.

Also, please notify the NCMS  if you have been victimized by this tax scam so we can convey the scope of the situation to the proper authorities. Contact the NCMS at 919-833-3836 or email Belinda McKoy at [email protected].  Please provide the following information:

1. Full name (first, middle initial, last)

2. Spouse’s name

3. Address (street, city, zip)

4. Telephone number

Watch your email and the NCMS eBulletin for any updates on this matter.