Somebody claimed all 4 of my kids already !!

[npmommie]

The only problem is that if the kids ss numbers are not in the equifax ,etc, system if you pull a credit report then they will be, everything I have read says not to do this because it then puts the ss numbers "out there"

you should always refuse to give out the kids ss numbers, unless necessary like in filing taxes. it is not needed for anything else.
I called for an othamologist appt for my dd last year and they asked for it, I refused and she said it isnt even needed they just ask.
so my feeling is the fewer places it is the better.
I don't even like putting their date of birth on things like sports forms, who knows who has access, and with a date of birth they are not that far from being able to obtain a ss number.
i am paranoid about this.

 

[HappyDznyCamper]

The only problem is that if the kids ss numbers are not in the equifax ,etc, system if you pull a credit report then they will be, everything I have read says not to do this because it then puts the ss numbers "out there"
you should always refuse to give out the kids ss numbers, unless necessary like in filing taxes. it is not needed for anything else.
I called for an othamologist appt for my dd last year and they asked for it, I refused and she said it isnt even needed they just ask.
so my feeling is the fewer places it is the better.
I don't even like putting their date of birth on things like sports forms, who knows who has access, and with a date of birth they are not that far from being able to obtain a ss number.
i am paranoid about this.

The problem with that is, if someone has stolen their identities you will not know it unless you pull a credit report. So if you wait until they are 18 and looking to establish credit it may be too late and their credit may already be ruined. Unfortunatly you probably do need to pull a free credit reoprt(from one of the reporting agencies like equifax, not a TV ad) on all the kids SS #.

 

[squirrlygirl]

The only problem is that if the kids ss numbers are not in the equifax ,etc, system if you pull a credit report then they will be, everything I have read says not to do this because it then puts the ss numbers "out there"

you should always refuse to give out the kids ss numbers, unless necessary like in filing taxes. it is not needed for anything else.
I called for an othamologist appt for my dd last year and they asked for it, I refused and she said it isnt even needed they just ask.
so my feeling is the fewer places it is the better.
I don't even like putting their date of birth on things like sports forms, who knows who has access, and with a date of birth they are not that far from being able to obtain a ss number.
i am paranoid about this.

See, there are only a few possible locations to obtain my kid's ss# (minus breaking into my house) since I don't even know the numbers, I don't carry the cards, and I usually leave it blank when asked:

1. Someone inside our health insurance company or the benefits center at DH's work (it's not on the health insurance cards)

2. Someone in the new pediatrician's office (but it was only 3 days ago that I gave them those so I doubt it)

3. Friend of the Court gave them to my ex-husband (or his attorney) by mistake during child support proceedings.

It would take a lot of nerve for my ex to claim all of my kids, but on the other hand, he lives in another universe and probably feels it's no different than me claiming HIS son.

As for going to the office, the way it was explained to me was that as of yet, no fraud had been committed therefore they can't do anything.

 

[squirrlygirl]

Well, there goes that idea. I tried pulling my oldest's. Equifax came up with a notice that says credit report are not maintained for anyone under 18.

 

[branv]

See, there are only a few possible locations to obtain my kid's ss# (minus breaking into my house) since I don't even know the numbers, I don't carry the cards, and I usually leave it blank when asked:

1. Someone inside our health insurance company or the benefits center at DH's work (it's not on the health insurance cards)

2. Someone in the new pediatrician's office (but it was only 3 days ago that I gave them those so I doubt it)

3. Friend of the Court gave them to my ex-husband (or his attorney) by mistake during child support proceedings.

It would take a lot of nerve for my ex to claim all of my kids, but on the other hand, he lives in another universe and probably feels it's no different than me claiming HIS son.

As for going to the office, the way it was explained to me was that as of yet, no fraud had been committed therefore they can't do anything.

How terrible for you OP, and scary! I really hope you get this worked out and that it doesn't turn out to be someone close to you you thought you could trust.

I just wanted to add to your list -- wouldn't the IRS also have this info from past tax returns? I hate to think info can be stolen from there, buuuuut...

 

[squirrlygirl]

How terrible for you OP, and scary! I really hope you get this worked out and that it doesn't turn out to be someone close to you you thought you could trust.

I just wanted to add to your list -- wouldn't the IRS also have this info from past tax returns? I hate to think info can be stolen from there, buuuuut...

The IRS would have them, but not all on the same return. My youngest wasn't around the last time I claimed my oldest.

Anyone think that my ex-husband who hates me would be willing to tell me whether or not he claimed my kids?

 

[Maddle]

Did the Taxpayer Advocate run the SS#'s to verify someone had claimed the children as deductions? If your electronic filing could find them, it seems to me the IRS person could find the same information, AND identify who had claimed them.

I have no personal experience with this type of problem, but it seems very odd that the IRS would just let anyone claim a c'hild, and say "no fraud has been committed until the second claim is made," especially the three children that do not have alternate year status - AND especially since your attempt to e-file uncovered the problem. Wouldn't that be the second claim?

Maddle

 

[mombare]

This is just a horrible nightmare - I would be totally freaking out right now! And of course I would want to know NOW who claimed my kids!! Good luck!

 

[squirrlygirl]

The other person has rights, and that means I am not entitled to know who did this, and they cannot prevent them from attempting to claim the children, just in case there's a chance they are entitled to them

 

[albertamommyof4]

i would just call up your ex and say hey i was trying to do my taxes and they wouldn't let me claim the kids so i thought maybe you had claimed the oldest but they won't let me claim any of the kids, and see what he says. aslo ask if he happened to claim your oldest, it is worth a shot
good luck and i am sorry this is happening to you

 

[CrzyforPiglet]

i would just call up your ex and say hey i was trying to do my taxes and they wouldn't let me claim the kids so i thought maybe you had claimed the oldest but they won't let me claim any of the kids, and see what he says. aslo ask if he happened to claim your oldest, it is worth a shot
good luck and i am sorry this is happening to you

I agree - it seems really strange that one person would have 3 of your childrens SSN unless it is someone who knows you. It just seems like the other people you listed who have seen your kids SSN would have heck of a lot to lose getting caught using them fraudulently. Plus would the professionals (ped office and benefits dept.) actually be stupid enough to claim all your kids and think they wouldn't be caught? If you do talk to your ex and he says he has no idea what you're talking about then maybe he really doesn't or he's bluffing. I'd just scare him a little and let him know you talked to the IRS and maybe speculate on what is going to happen when they catch who did it. If he doesn't confess then he probably didn't do it and I hope to heck you find out who did before any serious damage is done on your kids SSNs.

Best of luck to you and I hope you get to replan your trip soon!

 

[friendofgusgus]

Did the Taxpayer Advocate run the SS#'s to verify someone had claimed the children as deductions? If your electronic filing could find them, it seems to me the IRS person could find the same information, AND identify who had claimed them.

I have no personal experience with this type of problem, but it seems very odd that the IRS would just let anyone claim a c'hild, and say "no fraud has been committed until the second claim is made," especially the three children that do not have alternate year status - AND especially since your attempt to e-file uncovered the problem. Wouldn't that be the second claim?

Maddle

I do have personal experience with this and yep, that's how it works. The first person to claim them gets them until audit time.

We had a problem with DH's ex when she claimed all the kids rather than the 2 that were agreed upon. We didn't find out until we received a letter from the IRS in July of that year since we file by paper on April 15th.

The IRS is not necessarily a party to custody cases or divorce agreeements - they want their own form. In our case, we had the form so ex-wife had to amend her return and pay back part of her refund but until it comes to that level, the only thing you can do is file a paper return (that will be the second claim - can't do it online) and wait, knowing that you are in the right.

They will never tell you who filed the other return. The other party is liable to the IRS for filing a fraudulent return but you are not allowed to know the identity or the circumstances of the other filer. As far as the IRS is concerned, that is between them and the other claimant. We only know because DH's ex admitted to it once confronted.

Good luck - I know this is maddening!

 

[Bevin]

I do have personal experience with this and yep, that's how it works. The first person to claim them gets them until audit time.

We had a problem with DH's ex when she claimed all the kids rather than the 2 that were agreed upon. We didn't find out until we received a letter from the IRS in July of that year since we file by paper on April 15th.

The IRS is not necessarily a party to custody cases or divorce agreeements - they want their own form. In our case, we had the form so ex-wife had to amend her return and pay back part of her refund but until it comes to that level, the only thing you can do is file a paper return (that will be the second claim - can't do it online) and wait, knowing that you are in the right.

They will never tell you who filed the other return. The other party is liable to the IRS for filing a fraudulent return but you are not allowed to know the identity or the circumstances of the other filer. As far as the IRS is concerned, that is between them and the other claimant. We only know because DH's ex admitted to it once confronted.

Good luck - I know this is maddening!

This happened to us also. DH's ex claimed SS electronically first, even though it wasn't her year to do so. She even admitted it to us, and said we couldn't do anything since she had claimed him first. We talked to a tax adviser and he told us to go ahead and file a paper tax form instead of file electronically as we usually do, and include the divorce decree/custody agreement that said we got to claim SS on odd years. We got our refund, and wondered what they would do to the ex.

In December of that year we got a letter from the IRS that stated someone else had used the SS number of SS. They included an amendment form and the letter stated if we had claimed this child correctly, we didn't have to fill out the form. If we claimed the child incorrectly, we needed to fill out the form. We didn't fill the form out, as it was our year to claim him. They must have notified DH's ex also, because she made some kind of comment that she thought she could claim SS, since you are only allowed to claim 2 children (DH and I have 2 children together). We didn't ask for more information from her, because the less we talk to her the better.

 

[torinsmom]

My ex tried to claim my DS once, and I was told by the IRS that the person who has the child the most gets to claim them My ex only has his every other weekend on paper and much less than that in reality. I have claimed him for 10 years, since we split. Of course, I also file as soon as I get my forms, so maybe if he got busy, I would be in the same situation.

OP, I hope this all works out for you. It really sucks that they can't just let you claim the kids and go after whoever claimed them. Seems like with a notarized statement from you and their did that you did not give anyone permission to claim them, they would do that. Of course, it is also interesting that when my ex and I owed money from years we were married, they did not go after him for not filing and took it all from ME when I filed! Gotta love the logic of the IRS!

Marsha

 

[S. C.]

My sons ex claimed their kids even though he had legal temp custody. (he now has full)
IRS sent a letter stating that someone had already claimed them this was after he recieved the money and stimulus for them. She is on SSI and never files income tax but wanted that stimulus money. He had to send a paper confirming that he was in his rights to claim his children. Tax man said what they do is whenever that person files a claim and gets a return the IRS will take that return for repayment.

 

[1PrincessMomma1]

Did you use Turbo Tax? It seems they may have a glitch causing this message to come up.

 

[Cmbar]

Did you use Turbo Tax? It seems they may have a glitch causing this message to come up.

Are you serious? Could that be the problem? I would be interested in knowing this. Would make me nervous.

 

[ctinct]

OP, I really wonder if maybe your ex got a hold of all the kids' numbers and filed, figuring he wouldn't get caught. I am actually shocked the IRS caught it so fast. My ex claimed our daughter (well, I assume it was him, since the IRS, as others have mentioned, will not tell you who the other claimant is, and we have had no contact with my ex for many years) and it was a few years later that I got the letter. When I got the letter, I called the IRS and explained that our divorce agreement stipulates every other year, and the year he claimed her was supposed to be my turn. I had already received my refund, since it had happened years prior. Anyhow, I offered to send a copy of the divorce decree, but there was no need. Like someone mentioned, I was to file a form of some sort if I had made an error; otherwise , if the other party did not amend their return, we would both be audited. I never was called in for an audit, but I kind of wish I had been. Weird, huh? I actually WANTED to be audited! As it stands, I don't really know if they caught him or he slipped through the cracks.

As an aside, I don't really know how my ex gets away with claiming her. I think he is supposed to get some sort of form from me verifying that it is her turn. Wonder if he forges it. I would happily provide it if he would contact us. Come to think of it, he did ask me for it once. I told him, "Sure, stop by the house and I'll have it ready for you. Oh, by the way, please bring the money you owe when you come." He swore at me and hung up. Before anyone gets all upset, I would have provided it without the money I was (and still am) owed, because I know it was my obligation. I was just trying to see if he would bring me any part of what I'm owed.

Anyhow, op, my point is----has your ex ever asked for form 8332?

Oh, wait. This is interesting. I just looked it up. In both this year's and last year's tax book, it says if the decree is post 1984, you can provide copies of the cover page of the decree, including the other parents' ssn; pages that include some other info which is to include the years the other parent will not claim the child, and a copy of the other parent's signature on the agreement. Only the non-custodial parent has to include these copies with their tax return. Still, I wonder how many people are able to slip a kid or two under the cracks. At least it sounds like the IRS is running cross checks much more quickly now. If it is any consolation, op, I don't think you'll have too much trouble eventually claiming your children; maybe a birth certificate to prove that your husband and you are the parents. Good luck, and I hope they catch the other person soon. Unfortunately, due to "privacy" issues, you'll probably never know.

 

[Bren's Mom]

If I have this straight;

You're currently married. The person you're married to now is the biological and legal father of children #2,3 and 4. Right? So there are no custody or other arrangements for these kids? But THEIR SS #s are being rejected?

That's very odd.

I would go WITH my husband straight to the SS office, with our picture IDs and our 3 children. And sit there until someone pays attention to me.

 

[torinsmom]

A PP said that turbotax is having these kinds of problems, so maybe the OP needs to try a different program. I used taxact.com, but any other program would work. Try to efile again and see what happens. Can't hurt.....


Marsha