ID Validation

Personal Income Tax Refund Fraud Prevention Efforts

Safeguarding your information is a top priority for the Department of Revenue. We use a variety of tools to protect taxpayers and prevent others from trying to file a false tax return in your name.

One tool is the department’s ID Validation Quiz. The department’s Fraud Detection and Analysis Unit uses this quiz as a way to detect tax returns that have been filed fraudulently.

Taxpayers will receive a letter asking them to complete a six-question ID Validation Quiz to verify their identity. The questions may be based on a taxpayer’s individual credit background. Letters are mailed to the address on the taxpayer’s PA-40 (Personal Income Tax Return).

If you are asked to complete an ID Validation Quiz, you will need the notice you received from the department and a copy of your PA-40. Specifically, you will be asked for the Document Locator Number (DLN) from your notice and the answer you placed on Line 29 of your PA-40. If you do not have a copy of your PA-40, ask your tax preparer for a copy or print one by logging into your tax preparation software.

If you do not have access to a computer to take the ID Validation Quiz, call the Fraud Detection and Analysis Unit at 717-772-9297 and a department representative will assist you. If you do not respond to the request from the department to complete the quiz, you may be asked to provide required identifying documents before your refund can be released.

If you have questions regarding the legitimacy of a notice, call the department’s Taxpayer Service and Information Center at 717-787-8201. You may also visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.

It will take a few days for the department to process the ID Validation Quiz. You can check the status of your tax refund by using the “Where’s My Income Tax Refund?” tab on the Department of Revenue website.

Below is contact information for the Fraud Detection and Analysis Unit (be certain to include a copy of your original notice with all correspondence.)

Fax number: 717-783-5823
Email: RA-RVPITFRAUD@PA.GOV
Address:
PA Department of Revenue
Fraud Detection and Analysis Unit Bureau of Individual Taxes
PO Box 280607
Harrisburg, PA 17128-0607