Pittsburgh Woman Has Identity Stolen, Denied Tax Return

PITTSBURGH,None — A Pittsburgh woman said she has become a victim of identity theft and because of the crime, she's unable to file a tax return.

Tracey Cochran said she discovered that her identity was stolen when she attempted to file her federal tax return. She said the Internal Revenue Service denied her return because someone else had already filed using her name and Social Security number.

"It's really scary because I don't make a lot of money and you think it will never happen to you and it does," Cochran said. "I was told somebody had already filed under my Social. I knew it wasn't me. They asked me if I lived in South Dakota. That's where this person had filed from. I told them I had never been there and didn't plan on going and that wasn't me."

Cochran said she was told to fill out an identity theft report with the IRS. She also said she filed reports with both the Federal Trade Commission and her local police department.

So far Cochran said she has received little information about her case.

"They weren't telling me anything. I've called to try and get in the loop because my biggest concern was my name used," she said.

Cochran said she doesn't know when or if she'll ever get her $2,400 income tax check.

"I guess I'll wait and see if it gets here. If I ever get it, hopefully it will be the right amount," Cochran said.

• E-Mail Newsletter: Get The Latest News Sent To Your E-Mail! • Mobile: Get WPXI Headlines On Your Phone, iPhone, More • RSS: Add Us To Your Page!

WPXI