1,500 soldiers, family members among tax fraud victims. Does This Upset You Like It Did Me?

2015-08-12T16:06:12-04:00

Ten people — including an employee of the military hospital at Fort Benning who stole personal data of soldiers and family members — were sentenced to serve a combined 50 years in prison for their role in an extensive stolen identity tax refund fraud scheme in Georgia and Alabama.

The tax fraud ring filed more than 9,000 false individual federal income tax returns that claimed more than $24 million in tax refunds. In addition to the military hospital, the tax fraud ring stole personal information of victims from several Alabama state agencies, a Georgia call center and a Georgia company. The IRS paid out nearly $10 million in refunds on those fraudulent claims, according to Justice Department officials.

http://www.militarytimes.com/story/military/crime/2015/08/11/1500-soldiers-family-members-among-tax-fraud-victims/31460861/

1,500 soldiers, family members among tax fraud victims

Ten people sentenced in tax fraud ring; victims include 1,500 soldiers and family members whose personal data was stolen from Fort Benning.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Aug 12 at 2015 4:18 PM

2015-08-12T16:18:03-04:00

In an interesting coincidence a new member joined our VFW post this week, an employee of the IRS, and announced a new program providing free preparation services to qualified tax payers. It's called VITA. It won't help those already defrauded, but it might help preclude future cases. They're looking for volunteers and turning to veterans organizations for help

http://www.irs.gov/Individuals/Free-Tax-Return-Preparation-for-You-by-Volunteers

Free Tax Return Preparation for Qualifying Taxpayers

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program offers free tax help to people who generally make $53,000 or less, persons with disabilities, the elderly and limited English speaking taxpayers who need assistance in preparing their own tax returns. IRS-certified volunteers provide free basic income tax return preparation with electronic filing to qualified individuals.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Aug 12 at 2015 4:44 PM

2015-08-12T16:44:10-04:00

There have been so many recent examples of scam artists and hackers stealing personal information and misusing it that I almost numb SGT Private RallyPoint Member. I spent many years at Fort Benning between 1979 and 1989. I am not surprised that military members and their family members were targeted in this fraud. I am thankful that at least this fraud ring was discovered and prosecuted.
Columbus was one of the most racist areas I have ever lived – black racists were as rotten as the white racists were from my experience. The life on-post was much more accepting of every soldier and family member by and large.

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Aug 12 at 2015 5:12 PM

2015-08-12T17:12:57-04:00

This angers me. These people deserve the worst punishment we can find.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 12 at 2015 6:13 PM

2015-08-12T18:13:13-04:00

As the Queen of Hearts said, "Off with their heads."

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Aug 12 at 2015 6:24 PM

2015-08-12T18:24:54-04:00

Disgusting act of betrayal and complete lack of integrity! Should be a way to mark their credit reports for life as well as their criminal records. Sickening behavior!

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 12 at 2015 7:09 PM

2015-08-12T19:09:35-04:00

I'm not totally sure that I was a victim of this particular scam because the IRS is so secretive with information however, I was stationed at Benning during the time frame. It took me 3 1/2 years and hours of phone calls to finally get my 2011 tax return which I just received two weeks ago. I feel that with this happening to 1,500 of my fellow Soldiers something more severe should have happened to the perpetrators.

Response by SGT Felicia King made Aug 13 at 2015 2:18 AM

2015-08-13T02:18:03-04:00

If I was the one who had my information used, I'd be feeling pretty upset. Not as a veteran or service member, more as a tax payer. The cheats would have done this to anyone, they just happened to see the opportunity with military personnel. It's actually good that it was done to military personnel, had it been done to your average tax paying citizens, they might not have prosecuted as heavy.

You can't be angry when they get prosecuted. When they commit the crime yes, but when they're prosecuted, you have to be thankful. Just saying

Response by SGT Felicia King made Aug 13 at 2015 2:28 AM

2015-08-13T02:28:58-04:00

Is this at the Benning club again? I'm always looking for logistic jobs, though most seem to be hiring for drivers. I won't be able to make it because I work across the street at the Java though. But I'm always looking at the jobs listed on usajobs. Thanks for having job fairs on post though, helps a lot.

Response by PO2 Peter Klein made Aug 13 at 2015 10:21 PM

2015-08-13T22:21:18-04:00

It appears that the HR department did a really bad job in checking the backgrounds of this ring of crooks.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Aug 13 at 2015 10:30 PM

2015-08-13T22:30:22-04:00

Baaaaaaaaaaaaad things happen in prison :)

Response by SGT Jonathan Farber made Aug 13 at 2015 10:51 PM

2015-08-13T22:51:03-04:00

This news rubs me the wrong way for more than one reason. The fact that people are willing to steal from soldiers and families that NEED that check to make ends meet disgusts me. Almost as much as the way the IRS treats people who have had their identity stolen. I hope that they have better luck than I did after my tax return was stolen back in 2007, while I was stationed at Ft. Benning.

Response by SN Greg Wright made Aug 14 at 2015 9:19 AM

2015-08-14T09:19:18-04:00

SGT Private RallyPoint Member It does, Sarge. But it would upset me on anyone's behalf. Lowlife fuckers.

Response by MAJ Rene De La Rosa made Dec 20 at 2015 1:38 AM

2015-12-20T01:38:41-05:00

This angered me once my wife and I received the official notice that this occurred. It seems like no one cares in the least that we will be scrutinized over any potential credit application.