HALL COUNTY, Ga. — The Hall County Sheriff's Office said it has become overwhelmed with identity theft cases where thieves are filing fake tax returns with victims' Social Security numbers.
Channel 2's Craig Lucie went to the sheriff's office Thursday afternoon where the paperwork is stacking up, and officials told him they have never seen this many cases in a short period of time.
Deputy Chad Mann hasn't slowed down investigating all the identity theft cases involving fake tax returns.
"We haven't had any month where we have had this kind of volume over the past five business days. We have received no less than 30 reports for identity theft," Mann said.
Lucie asked him if he had ever seen this many reports involving fraudulent tax returns.
"Not quite as many," Mann said.
Mann said the common denominator is most of the victims are Blue Cross/Blue Shield customers.
In January, the FBI discovered more than 11 million people's medical and financial information may have been compromised, and that includes their Social Security numbers.
"We are finding as most go make their tax returns or fill out their tax returns electronically, they are receiving rejection letters stating that someone has already used their Social Security number to file their income tax," Mann said.
Lucie met Blue Cross/Blue Shield customer Allen Dellinger in the sheriff's office front lobby where his father was getting information on his identity theft case.
"I believe it and it's the same thing the bank told me, that they've had at least 20 in the last week, and that's when they suggested that everyone freeze their bank account," said Dellinger.
Mann has given every victim an identity theft packet. It has 10 helpful things you can do. Number one on the list is to contact a major credit bureau so that they can place a fraud alert on your file.
Mann also said you should file a police report.
You can also report fraudulent use of your Social Security number to 1-800-772-1213.
The IRS also established an Identity Theft Hotline in 2008: 1-800-908-4490.
WSBTV
