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The e-mail to employees from Internal Revenue Service Commissioner John Koskinen warns budget cuts at the IRS could mean 50 percent of calls to the IRS don't get answered, there are fewer audits, and as a result, identity thieves have more of a free rein.
KSL consumer specialist Bill Gephardt says there is one thing you can do now to protect yourself from tax identity thieves: beat them at their own game by filing your tax returns as early as possible.
"That's exactly what thieves do so that you don't notice it," Gephardt says. "And then they collect the money, and by the time you realize there's a problem... now you have to contact the IRS, and it's a huge hassle, even when they're fully staffed."
Once you are a victim of identity theft, Gephardt says it's much harder to get relief.
"It is already a difficult procedure to prove that the money didn't come to you, and now the IRS [is] saying customer service is going to be even worse," Gephardt says.
But he adds, you shouldn't give up.
"Stick with it, because it's your money, and you're going to get it eventually," Gephardt says.
Tax refund thieves are able to get away with your money by stealing your social security number and filing a return under your number before you can do so. The IRS offers similar tips about filing early to prevent thieves from being able to get your refund. They also recommend protecting your social security number.
Becky Bruce is the executive producer of Utah's Morning News on KSL Newsradio.
