Identity theft is one of the worst possible situations that can happen.  It is such a nuisance to deal with; time-consuming, and financially devastating.  This year, several e-filed tax returns were rejected because someone had already filed using someone else’s social or the IRS informed some taxpayers prior to filing that fraud had occurred.  Most tax returns that experience identity theft must be paper-filed instead of e-filed, and the processing time is quite long.

This afternoon I experienced a different kind of situation.  I received a call on my cell phone from Jose Ortega (badge # 142K551), who works for the US Customs and Border Patrol, who informed me that there was a judgment against me for a package shipped to me (living in the U.S.) from Mexico by William Fernandez (he gave me a case number).  I wondered why an essential matter like this was not sent in writing to my home address like most other correspondence.  I let the guy know I would hang up with him and call back after doing some research.  The first thing I did was search the US Customs and Border Patrol website and found the following heading and information.

CBP Warns of Telephone Scam

Release Date: 

March 1, 2021

Callers impersonate CBP personnel

https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/national-media-release/cbp-warns-telephone-scam

If you are a victim of either of the schemes above or another type of fraud, another step that can be taken is to file an Identity Theft Report with the Federal Trade Commission.

https://www.identitytheft.gov/#/assistant