Wasserman Schultz: We Must End Identity Theft

Fort Lauderdale, FL, April 13, 2012
Congresswoman to introduce bill to protect against tax return identity theft

Imagine going to file your tax return, only to discover someone else has already filed it and received your tax refund check.

With tax day just around the corner, there have been more stories about how tax refund identity theft is on the rise and South Florida is leading the country in reported cases this year, according to the Federal Trade Commission.

Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-20) is introducing legislation to address this growing problem and help constituents who have been victims of this crime. Her bill would strengthen penalties for identity thieves, as well as expand the definition of an identity theft victim to include not only individuals, but also businesses and organizations that have had their identities stolen for phishing schemes in an attempt to get sensitive information from consumers.

Rep. Wasserman Schultz held a press conference on Friday, April 13, to discuss her legislation with Sgt. Jay Leiner from the Broward Sheriff’s Office, Ron Myers, a local CPA, and Joan Rubinstein, who has been a victim of tax return identity theft twice.