SHAHEEN CALLS FOR FEDERAL INVESTIGATION OF NEW HAMPSHIRE TAX FRAUD

U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) is urging federal officials to investigate wide spread tax fraud that has been committed against more than one hundred physicians and health care providers in New Hampshire. According to news reports, the victims of fraud had their Social Security numbers stolen, then the perpetrators filed fraudulent tax returns and stole tax refunds.

“The Secret Service and Internal Revenue Service should immediately conduct a joint investigation into recent reports that more than one hundred physicians and health care providers in New Hampshire have become victims of tax fraud,” Shaheen said. “These reports are deeply concerning and have impacted the ability of these medical providers to file their own tax returns.”

“We must act swiftly to stop any fraudulent activity, bring the perpetrators to justice and ensure that physicians and providers have the information they need to protect themselves,” she added.

The full text of Senator Shaheen’s letter is included below:

April 23, 2014 

Ms. Julia A. Pierson

Director

United States Secret Service

245 Murray Drive, SW

Washington, DC 20223

The Honorable John Koskinen

Commissioner

Internal Revenue Service

1111 Constitution Avenue, NW

Washington, DC 20224

Dear Director Pierson and Commissioner Koskinen,

The Secret Service and Internal Revenue Service should immediately conduct a joint investigation into recent reports that more than one hundred physicians and health care providers in New Hampshire have become victims of tax fraud.  These reports are deeply concerning and have impacted the ability of these medical providers to file their own tax returns.  We must act swiftly to stop any fraudulent activity, bring the perpetrators to justice and ensure that physicians and providers have the information they need to protect themselves.

According to the New Hampshire Medical Society, more than 100 physicians, physician assistants, dentists and nurse practitioners in New Hampshire have reported that someone else filed a tax return using their Social Security numbers.  This suggests that medical providers in New Hampshire have become a target for fraudsters looking to obtain a tax return.  Acting quickly will help prevent additional providers from being affected, which is why I urge you to make this investigation a priority.

My office stands ready to assist taxpayers who have been affected by fraudulent returns, and I request that you provide my staff with any additional information about how my constituents can navigate the process of tax filing going forward.  Taxpayers should not be harmed as a result of fraudulent behavior.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

Jeanne Shaheen

United States Senator