CSO - Medical professionals in ten states have become victims of identity theft, after someone used their personal information, including Social Security Number, to file fraudulent tax returns.

In a majority of the cases, the victims were made aware of the situation after they attempted to submit their federal returns electronically, only to be told that someone had already filed them.

The scam includes fraudulent returns at both the federal and state level, targeting various medical professionals, including nurses, physicians, dentists, and oral surgeons. So far, victims in Indiana, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Iowa, North Carolina, Colorado, Connecticut, and Vermont have come forward. Moreover, similar reports of fraudulent returns have surfaced in Puerto Rico as well.

In Indiana, the state's medical association (ISMA) issued an alert to healthcare professionals, warning them of the scam and encouraging victims to come forward. In addition to the warning, the ISMA also said that the Indiana Department of Revenue (DOR) is investigating the situation.

In all, more than 100 professionals have come forward, reporting a fraudulent tax return at either the state or federal level. Some have reported both. In a statement, Julie Reed, ISMA general counsel, recalled her conversations with the DOR investigation unit.