Recovering from Identity Theft
If you have been the victim of identity theft, there are several steps you can take to recover.
If a fraudulent Montana tax return was filed in your name, contact the department immediately.
- Phone: Call (406) 444-6900
Tax preparers and employers should also notify the department if their data has been breached.
If a fraudulent state tax return has been filed, a fraudulent federal return may also have been filed.
- Phone: Call the IRS Identity Protection Specialist Unit at 1-800-908-4490
- Form: Download IRS Identity Theft Affidavit (Form 14039)
Identity Theft Resources From the IRS
Notify your bank, credit card companies, and other financial institutions.
Ask them to review your accounts for suspicious activities, such as address changes or newly opened accounts in your name.
Check your reports for fraudulent accounts or charges. You are entitled to one free credit report each year from each of the three nationwide consumer reporting companies - Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.
You can place a fraud alert on your credit report by contacting one of the major credit bureaus.
- Equifax: Call 1-800-525-6285
- Experian: Call 1-888-397-3742
- TransUnion: Call 1-800-680-7289
- Online: Report identity theft at ReportFraud.FTC.gov
- Phone: Call 1-877-ID-THEFT (1-877-438-4338)
More information is available on the FTC’s identity theft website: IdentityTheft.gov.
Additional resources for Montana residents can be found by visiting the Montana Department of Justice Office of Consumer Protection website for additional resources. Under Common Issues, you will find the Identity Theft and Security Freeze sections.