I’m looking for general guidance, not loopholes or ways to hide anything. Over the past year I was involved in a small-scale financial arrangement where I was asked to move funds and received small cuts (usually very small weekly amounts). At first I didn’t fully understand what was going on, but at some point I realized it was not legitimate and stopped completely.
Recently, a very large federal tax refund (six figures) was initiated to my bank account that I did not file for and am not entitled to. I realized this before it posted. I have not touched the money and do not intend to.
My current plan is:
• Report the pending deposit to my bank’s fraud/risk department so it can be frozen/reversed
• Not move, spend, or transfer any of the funds
• Cut off all involvement with the other person
• Get an IRS IP PIN to protect my tax identity going forward
I’m not trying to protect anyone else or keep money that isn’t mine — I just want to make sure I handle this in a way that doesn’t make things worse and shows I stopped once I understood the situation.
For people familiar with tax, banking, or compliance issues:
• Is reporting to the bank first the correct step?
• Is there anything else someone in my position should do immediately?
• Is this the type of situation that typically stays administrative if the money is untouched?
I understand no one here is my lawyer — I’m just trying to sanity-check that I’m taking the right defensive steps.
Realized I was involved in something shady financially — stopped, now trying to unwind it safely. What’s the right way to handle this?
byu/Even_Manufacturer_65 intax
Posted by Even_Manufacturer_65
7 Comments
Telling the bank is one of the first steps, but you also should contact the IRS.
Keep it to “I received a refund I’m not entitled to and did not file for”. If you plan to disclose your involvement in the money laundering scheme, speak to a lawyer first.
Check your IRS transcript, to see if this was filed under your social. https://www.irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript
Check your credit report, and then freeze it.
Have the bank send the money back, say its not yours must be a mistake .
Call the bank and inform them you are dealing with a potential tax related id theft and have their ACH department return the funds to the IRS. They will leave it at that and IRS will get the money back. With the IRS file F 14039 and paper file your return. Keep copies if everything and confirmation the bank returned the money.
idk maybe ask ChatGPT as this story seems to be scripted by it. The double dash makes it very clockable I fear.
You’re screwed. Sorry man
I would get a lawyer and then probably call the FBI with my attorney