Tax scams are on the rise this year, according to the Internal Revenue Service.
Macon Police say many central Georgian's found out their identity was stolen when they tried file their taxes.
Caree Brown represents one of the many faces of identity fraud.
"You know you hear about this happening to people all the time, but I never thought it would happen to me," said Brown
When she tried to file her taxes for 2011, Brown said she got the shock of her life.
"When I got to the end to e-file, it wouldn't let me," she said. "It said that number had already been used, or I was trying to file my taxes twice."
According to the IRS, she's not alone.
"Unfortunately identity theft has risen," said Mark Green with the IRS, "It's across the country it doesn't just affect the state of Georgia."
Green says tax fraud comes in many forms from scams to identity theft.
"Any information that provide to an outsider with your social security number, your financial information listed on there can be used," he said, "Unfortunately during tax season this is just one of the areas that scam artists are concentrating on."
Green says if you think you've been scammed or your identification has been stolen, contact police and the IRS immediately.
Macon Police received three reports of that just on Monday and Tuesday.
"I'd say this year has probably been worse than most years," said Lt. Keith Woodford.
He says identity theft poses a challenge for police.
"It's kind of hard to catch them, but like I said I think a lot of it is going to fall on to the business owner, the people that are cashing them."
He says businesses that cash tax return checks can help look for fraud. Woodford says if you see a suspicious i.d. or a check for a suspicious amount, contact police immediately.
For now many victims like Brown are left waiting, not only for the investigation to wrap up, but also to get their refunds.
"I guess I'm just stressing because someone has my number," said Brown.
If you've been a victims of tax fraud, you can call the IRS protection hotline at 1-800-908-4490