The delays started as fraudulent filing from a scammer and turned into years of waiting for their money.
South suburban Lynwood couple Lisa and Tyrone Wallace waited three years to get their 2022 tax return from the Internal Revenue Service.
They had been waiting on almost $2,500.
"I wasn't working at the time, and you know we just had life," Lisa Wallace said.
The long delays started when they tried to file taxes for 2022, in 2023 tax season. The IRS said they had already submitted their taxes. But a scammer had filed in their name.
"And someone got our Social Security number and they did fraud. And they said they received our return, saying, you know, we would be getting $28,000 but they need proof of income, and we hadn't even filed for income taxes," Lisa Wallace said.
The fraudster was attempting to collect a much larger tax return using their information.
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The couple says the IRS kept extending their deadline and giving them the run around.
"And I was never able to get anything from them. A day of when we could get our refund, or anything, but soon as I sent it to you, the ball just started rolling," Lisa Wallace said.
Several weeks after ABC7 Chicago reached out to the IRS, the Wallaces received even more money from the federal government: almost $3,800. They believe the extra money is for interest and delays.
The IRS did not respond to a request for comment on the higher amount, but said they were looking into the delay.
To prevent someone from filing taxes in your name, file your return early and electronically.
If you're using a tax preparer or accountant, make sure they are licensed or registered with the IRS.
If you think someone has your personal information or Social Security number, alert authorities and freeze your credit with the three credit bureaus.