Wisconsin tax fraud complaints on the rise
MADISON—It’s early in the tax season, but state officials say complaints about fraudulent filings are running high.
The state Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection says more people are complaining that when they go to file a return, someone has already filed in their name. It’s an attempt to steal someone else’s refund.
Officials didn’t provide numbers on complaints. But they said they’ve already led to one state lawsuit against a Milwaukee tax service owner who violated state consumer protection laws.
Officials say citizens should report any evidence of fraudulent filing immediately.


Feb 27, 2013 at 8:04 a.m.
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Yep,
All kinds of tax fraud, but no voter fraud. Right Dems?
Feb 26, 2013 at 3:33 p.m.
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They can steal mine if they want. I owe every year.
Feb 26, 2013 at 2:44 p.m.
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.....makes work look like it's for suckers, doesn't it?.....steal your mail while you're "at work"...LOL..
Feb 26, 2013 at 2:42 p.m.
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janesvillean- I wonder if someone could cite just ONE case where the federal gov't prosecuted ONE case of mail theft from a mailbox and significant prison time was given.
Anyone?
Feb 26, 2013 at 2:26 p.m.
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truth1, I'm not sure what you want here -- a police squad sitting next to your mailbox 24/7 to protect it? Obviously prosecution is only possible when there is evidence. Some of this fraud is international and almost impossible to prosecute individually.
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doc0430, the consumer complaint page is here:
http://datcp.wi.gov/Consumer/Consumer_Co...
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You probably would also want to contact the DOR directly:
http://www.revenue.wi.gov/faqs/ise/fraud...
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The police may or may not be helpful, as often these are cross-jurisdictional crimes, whereas a professional tax filer as in the example is a state-regulated entity.
Feb 26, 2013 at 11:13 a.m.
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Think about how ridiculous it is that you have to buy your own "Identity Protection"...............it's because criminals aren't prosecuted so they feel free to steal indentities and commit fraud over and over and over and over so you have to spend MORE of your money to "protect yourself".
Work is for suckers in 21st century America.
Feb 26, 2013 at 10:59 a.m.
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I'd call the police.
Feb 26, 2013 at 10:06 a.m.
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Officials say citizens should report any evidence of fraudulent filing immediately.
Where does someone file, or who should they call if this does happen? That would sure be helpful to know, and how often is it that when this happens, that the person it happens to doesn't have any idea how to take care of this so it just goes without incident.
Feb 26, 2013 at 9:56 a.m.
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They do this because they can get away with it, just like it is with most crimes...Heck, it's a "federal offense" to even use a person's mailbox improperly and yet MAIL GETS STOLEN RIGHT OUT OF MAILBOXES and what gets done about it?
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