(backstory)
My dad left when I was 9, and we didn't have a relationship again until I was 19. Honestly, a big catalyst for my willingness to reunite was having very little support, I was a broke college student financing myself. My dad expressed that he wanted to help and would talk about how successful he had become. I've since come to understand he's a narcissist and scam artist. My parents didn't teach financial literacy, mom declared bankruptcy in my teens and dad was jailed over fraud related charges in his youth (never heard the exact story there). I bought my first car and got myself to college, I depended on loans and working service industry jobs to cover the rest.
......So when I was 22 and in my last year of college I ran out of loan money. My beat up car from high school broke down and I had to finance a newer car, my credit was maxed. On top of that I was diagnosed with a chronic illness that I found out would be expensive to treat. I was desperate, naive, depressed, tired, and my dad said he could help me, all he needed was my bank account info.
My dad said he could deposit a couple checks into my account, take the money out, and give me a couple thousand dollars just because. I did not know what money laundering was at the time, to a broke kid that sounded like a no-brainer deal, like he was being a generous parent. My dad played it off that he wanted to buy a BMW for cash at an auction and didn't want his girlfriend at the time to know he was saving, something like that. It sounded reasonable enough. He asked for my information and I gave it willingly and stupidly.
A few years passed, I graduated and moved. I worked, but I didn't have a life change like a marriage or buying a house, maybe that's why I was never tipped off. This past year I started a new position and was saving to resolve my student/ medical debt and move on with life. This spring I expected a tax return (about 2k), and received an envelope from the IRS. I knew it was my check, but when I opened the letter I dropped to my floor and cried. The IRS took my tax return and left me with a bill for another 12,000.00 ( 8k plus fees they say).
I made phone calls which led me to a company that hired my dad as a 1099. My father filled out paperwork in my name using my social and bank information to deposit employment checks into my account and not pay taxes on his income. He apparently used a different address from my real address so that I never received statements. I consulted a tax lawyer who said he could *probably* solve the issue for 2K retainer, the problem is I don't have 2k to spare.
I was adamant the company in question send me a letter stating I never worked for them in any capacity. I called out my father, who happens to be battling cancer. He tried manipulating me by saying awful things and telling me he will never speak to me again. But he did call me once more after that to say he had a "tax girl" and I should tell her exactly what the IRS letter states because she would straighten things out for me. I asked for the girl's contact information directly but my dad refused to tell me. I feel the plan was to impersonate me. I have no idea if other assets or debts exist in my name that I'm unaware of.
I've had to admit I know very little about taxes or law. Ever since this happened I've been carrying this weight, I don't even know where to turn. I live simply, I'm generally frugal. I'm terrified of being in trouble with the law or the IRS or saying the wrong thing. I'm also deeply disappointed. I've already lived as an impoverished kid and just want to get out of this and attain some sense of financial freedom.
Submitted August 11, 2019 at 11:46PM by circular_soul https://ift.tt/2YM36PC
