When Someone Works Under Your Name and Number
A thief can use your information to get a job. Here is how it shows up and what the IRS and SSA say to do.
Employment identity theft is a version of identity theft. Someone uses your information to get a job. The IRS guide says identity thieves can use your information to apply for a job. The IRS guide says this can affect your taxes, Social Security benefits, and work history.
The FTC says identity theft is when someone uses your personal information without your knowledge or permission to commit fraud or theft. TransUnion puts it another way. Your personal information has been hijacked by an imposter. That imposter commits fraud in your name.
How it usually comes to light
USAGov says you may not know right away that you experienced identity theft.
You might get a Form W-2 or Form 1099 from an employer you never worked for. Or your Social Security income might be more than you earned or expected.
Do you want a wider look at the other ways identity theft can appear? If so, see identity fraud examples.
What it can affect
The IRS guide says employment identity theft can affect your taxes, Social Security benefits, and work history.
Taxes come first. The IRS guide says employment identity theft can affect your taxes.
Social Security benefits come next. The IRS guide says employment identity theft can affect your Social Security benefits.
Work history comes last. The IRS guide says employment identity theft can affect your work history.
What to do if an IRS letter or notice arrives
The IRS guide says to immediately follow IRS instructions if you got an IRS letter, notice or fax. The IRS guide says to immediately follow the instructions in it.
Do not ignore it, even if the income in it is not yours. Following the instructions in the letter is the step the IRS names for this situation.
What to do about a W-2 or 1099 from an unknown employer
The IRS guide says to contact the Social Security Administration if you got a Form W-2 or Form 1099 from an unknown employer. The IRS guide names the SSA as the agency to contact in this situation.
For more on that process, read identity theft social security.
When to involve the Social Security Administration
The IRS guide gives two situations that call for the SSA. One is the W-2 or 1099 from an employer you never worked for. The other is when your Social Security income is more than you earned or expected.
The IRS guide says to contact the Social Security Administration in either case.
Checking whether the Identity Theft Affidavit applies
The IRS guide says to check if you should file Form 14039, Identity Theft Affidavit, if your dependent's identity was stolen. USAGov adds that completing the Identity Theft Affidavit will invalidate a fraudulent return. That return was filed using your information.
If someone filed a return in your name or your dependent's name, that is when to look at it.
Where to go next
To look for other signs, start with how check for identity theft. It walks through the places to check, beyond the tax papers that brought you here.