Anti-Fraud initiatives saved WI taxpayers more than $416 million over 10 Years

More than $51 million in fraudulent and erroneous refunds and credits were blocked during the 2018 tax season in Wisconsin.

According to the Wisconsin Department of Revenue, its use of identity verification tools helped protect identity theft.

"Identify verification is extremely important to us. It helps ensure that the identities of tax filers are secure and protected, and that their tax dollars are not stolen," said Wisconsin Department of Revenue Secretary Peter Barca. "Cybercrime and identity theft have become more common. As a result, we've implemented a number of measures to combat it."

DOR uses analytics to identify tax returns that indicate possible identity theft. If there is a concern, DOR sends a letter to the tax filer asking them to complete a quiz, enter a Personal Identification Number (PIN), or submit documentation to confirm their identity.

"Our systems are very secure, but when criminals steal someone's personal information from other sources, they may use it to file a fraudulent tax return," said Barca.

More information on the DOR's anti-fraud efforts can be found