Several MU employees latest target of tax fraud scheme

With just five days left to file taxes, University of Missouri officials are warning employees that several have been targeted victims of a tax fraud scheme.

The IRS has been warning people for months about the scheme where someone files taxes using another person’s information, getting their refund.

ABC 17 News has reported on instances in Mid-Missouri of this happening, and now University officials said nearly 20 employees have reported becoming victims.

Christian Basi, a spokesman with the University said there may be more victims.

“Many of the employees that reported it also have reported hearing about other employees experiencing that same thing so this issue that’s been widespread across America and it’s coming right to Columbia,” he said.

Since so few employees have reported it, they haven’t been able to determine where these victims are getting their information stolen.

“We looked at different programs they might have been using but we couldn’t find a common denominator,” Basi explained.

But he did say it had nothing to do with the University.

“We’ve looked into it but there is no evidence there was a breech within the University that caused this,” he said.

Officials talked to finance experts who said if you are a victim of tax fraud, there are a few steps you should take:

Contact the three major credit reporting agencies (Experian, TransUnion and Equifax) and place a fraud alert on your credit report.

Contact all creditors involved. Often, you can file theID theft affidavit.

Close any accounts that have been tampered with or opened fraudulently.

File a police report.

Contact the Federal Trade Commission (1-877-IDTHEFT).

Keep a record of all your contacts.

If you believe your information was stolen from the university, report your problem toabuse@missouri.edu.

Taxes are due April 15.