Got a Letter from the IRS Asking You to Verify Your Identity? 

No one enjoys seeing a letter from the IRS show up in the mailbox. For most of us, it brings a jolt of anxiety, even if we’re sure we’ve dotted every “i” on our tax return. But what if that letter asks you to go online to verify your identity before they process your refund? Is it a legitimate request or a scam in disguise?

 

That’s the dilemma one Georgia consumer faced, and if it hasn’t happened to you yet, it easily could.

 

Read on for our advice on what to know, and what to do, if a similar notice lands in your mailbox.

Why You Might Be Getting an Identity Verification Letter

The IRS does sometimes send letters requesting identity verification. If your return triggered certain fraud filters, they might pause processing until they confirm you are the actual, real person who filed. 

 

This doesn’t mean you did anything wrong. In fact, it’s a protective measure. A common scam involves fraudsters using stolen Social Security numbers to file bogus returns early in the season, hoping to snag refund checks before the real taxpayer files. According to a study by Hultgren, Hasseldine, and Nash (2022), IRS data showed that theft-related tax fraud peaked in 2015. However, it’s a scam that has all but gone away, with the IRS reporting about $2.12 billion worth of tax fraud identified in 2024. 

 

In many cases, these letters are triggered in three situations: when your return is filed from an unfamiliar device or location, when the IRS detects discrepancies in prior-year income or deductions, and when your Social Security number was part of a known data breach.

 

If you’ve lived at the same address for seven years and haven’t changed your employer or banking info, it’s understandable to be confused. But remember, even consistent info doesn’t shield you from fraud attempts.

Is it real or a scam?  You can use  the IRS Identity Verification Service to find out. (TaxAudit)

How to Tell If the Letter Is Legit

Here’s where things get tricky. Scammers have gotten increasingly sophisticated at mimicking official-looking IRS correspondence. So how do you know what’s real?

 

Start by looking at the letterhead and content. If the notice is asking you to verify your identity, it’s likely one of these official forms (click the links to view an explanation of each letter from the IRS):

These letters typically provide instructions for using the IRS Identity Verification Service.  Here’s the key though: never click or type in a URL from the letter directly.

 

Instead, go to the IRS’s official website yourself (irs.gov). From there, you can safely search for the identity verification section and follow secure links to verify your return.

What Should You Do Next?

Let’s walk through the steps you should take to stay safe and protect your refund:

  1. Don’t ignore the letter. As uncomfortable as it may be, you usually only have about a month to respond. So get it out of the way as soon as you can so you don’t risk forgetting that important deadline. 
  2. Do NOT use links or phone numbers in the letter. Go directly to www.irs.gov and search for "identity verification." (or you can click here and save the direct link to your browser if you want to come back to it later).
  3. Dig through your tax documents and pull out what you’ll need. The IRS is going to want a copy of last year’s tax return and this year’s return (if you filed already). While you’re at it, you might as well grab any potential supporting documentation too, like a W-2 or 1099. 
  4. Then, just follow IRS instructions to verify your return either online or over the phone.

If you do nothing, your refund could be delayed or denied altogether.

Tax season can be stressful enough without the added pressure of deciphering whether your mail is fraud in a clever disguise. (iStock)

Don’t Let Fraudsters Get the First Move

Receiving a letter like this may feel like a red flag, but it’s often a good sign that the IRS is proactively protecting you. Still, scammers prey on fear and urgency, hoping you’ll click a shady link without a second thought.

 

So ask yourself: Is this letter asking me to act quickly or urgently? Is it asking for sensitive information in a way that feels off?

 

If something doesn’t sit right, it probably isn’t. When in doubt, always go to the IRS website yourself or consult a trusted tax professional.  Remember, a random link in a letter isn’t always safe and secure.

Final Thought

Tax season can be stressful enough without the added pressure of deciphering whether your mail is fraud in a clever disguise. Arming yourself with knowledge and a healthy dose of skepticism can help you avoid tax fraud and keep your refund secure.

 

Stay cautious, stay informed, and when in doubt, verify everything through official channels.

 

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Need help recovering from identity theft? You can contact the IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit at 1-800-908-4490 or visit IdentityTheft.gov for personalized recovery plans.