A Lynwood, Illinois couple waited years for a federal tax refund they were owed after a scammer filed a return in their name, according to ABC7 Chicago. Their case is a stark reminder that tax-related identity theft can freeze an IRS tax refund long after you file honestly and on time.
ABC7 Chicago reported that the fraud left the couple tangled in the IRS process for years while the agency worked to sort out the fake return from their legitimate one. The outlet did not publish a specific dollar figure for the refund in the headline material available.
If a thief files first using your Social Security number, the IRS flags the second return, and the real taxpayer is left proving who they are. That verification can stretch out for a long time, as this couple’s experience shows.
Why does tax identity theft delay an IRS tax refund for years?
Tax-related identity theft happens when someone uses your Social Security number to file a fraudulent return and claim a refund before you do. When your genuine return arrives, the IRS system sees a duplicate filing and stops processing.
From there, the burden falls on the victim. You have to confirm your identity, dispute the fraudulent return, and wait for the IRS to remove the bad filing from your account. Because these cases are investigated individually, resolution often takes many months, and in cases like the Lynwood couple’s, years.
What should you do if a scammer filed a tax return in your name?
According to IRS guidance, victims of tax-related identity theft should take several steps as soon as they suspect fraud:
- File IRS Form 14039: This is the Identity Theft Affidavit, which tells the IRS that someone may have used your information to file a return.
- Respond to any IRS letter promptly: If the IRS suspects a fraudulent return, it may send a notice such as Letter 5071C asking you to verify your identity before it releases anything.
- Keep filing your real return: Continue to submit your legitimate return, even if you have to mail a paper copy because the electronic version was rejected.
- Report it at IdentityTheft.gov: The Federal Trade Commission runs this site to help victims build a recovery plan and create an official report.
Because the fraud can spread beyond taxes, it also helps to review your credit reports and place a fraud alert or freeze with the major credit bureaus.
How can you protect yourself from a fraudulent tax filing?
The IRS offers a tool built specifically to block this kind of fraud: the Identity Protection PIN, or IP PIN. It’s a six-digit number that changes each year and must be entered on your return.
- The IP PIN blocks fake returns: Without your current PIN, a thief’s electronically filed return in your name will be rejected.
- Any taxpayer can opt in: The program, once limited to confirmed victims, is now open to anyone who wants the extra layer of protection.
- You get it through the IRS: Sign up using the “Get an IP PIN” tool on IRS.gov, where you verify your identity to enroll.
Filing early also reduces your exposure, because it leaves less time for a scammer to beat you to it.
Where can victims get help from the IRS?
If your refund is stuck and the normal channels aren’t working, the Taxpayer Advocate Service is an independent office inside the IRS that assists people facing long delays or financial hardship. You can reach it through IRS.gov or by phone.
The IRS also runs a dedicated Identity Protection Specialized Unit for taxpayers whose accounts have been affected by fraud. For confirmed identity theft cases, that unit can be a faster route than the general help line.
Why this Lynwood case matters
The couple’s story, as told by ABC7 Chicago, shows how a single fraudulent filing can hold up money a family is legally owed for years. It underscores why early protection, like an IP PIN, matters more than a fix after the fact.
If you believe your identity has been used to file a tax return, act quickly. The sooner you file Form 14039 and alert the IRS, the sooner the agency can begin untangling your account and releasing the refund you’re entitled to.
