Order a Taxpayer Transcript

• 1). Go to the IRS' website and download either Form 4506 (Request for Copy of Tax Return), or Form 4506T (Request for Transcript of Return). Form 4506 will allow you to receive a copy of the information recorded from the line items of a specific tax return; Form 4506T is a transcript of all adjustments and transactions with the IRS including taxes and penalties owed. Form 4506 will cost a fee to submit. It is permissible to order both the copy and transcript.
  
  
• 2). Complete the form. Enter your full name, enter your spouse's name, if she was listed on your return, current address, previous address that was listed on that specific return, and Social Security number. Enter the tax form or transcript requested (e.g., 1040 or W2). Enter the year of the tax form or transcript requested. Sign and date the form.
  
  
• 3). Mail Form 4506, or mail or fax Form 4506-T. The appropriate address and fax number for your state is listed on the form. Include a check or money order, if requesting a copy of the tax return using Form 4506. As of 2011, the price per requested tax return copy is $57.
  
  
• 4). Look over the copy of the tax return and transcript. For example, if the W-2 was submitted by an employer that you haven't worked for, someone could be under your Social Security number. If a 1040 was submitted by someone other than you, someone is using your Social Security number. If the IRS indicates your income is more than what you made that tax year, it is possible that they have added income made by someone else using your information with your reported income.
  
  
• 5). Contact the IRS at 1-866-562-5227 and inform them that income has been reported under your Social Security number by a worker other than yourself. They will provide additional information to help you resolve the issue. Contact the police department and the Federal Trade Commission at 877-438-4338 to report the identity theft.
  
  

Order a Credit Report

• 1). Order a credit report online from all three credit bureaus -- Equifax, Experian and Transunion. Everyone is allowed one free credit report per year from each credit bureau (see Resources). If you have already ordered one from a specific bureau, you will have to pay for an additional copy directly from the bureau.
  
  
• 2). View the employment section for the listed employer(s). Each credit bureau will indicate the last reported employer. Be aware that this information is not always accurate, and is often outdated. If any employers are listed that you haven't worked for, this could be one indication that someone is working using your Social Security number.
  
  
• 3). Look over the reported addresses on the credit report. All addresses that have been used to apply for credit are often listed. Look for any addresses that you didn't live in or use to apply for credit.
  
  
• 4). Verify that all credit cards and loans listed on the report were established with your permission. If someone is working using your Social Security number, they may have also opened credit lines or taken out loans using your information.
  
  
• 5). Contact the credit bureaus and place a fraud alert on your credit report. Discuss the steps required to remove the fraudulent account from your report. Contact the police department and the Federal Trade Commission at 877-438-4338 to report the identity theft.