Fake tax firm identity theft is exploding. And one of the fastestgrowing threats is fake or
unlicensed tax firms posing as legitimate professionals. Government agencies
including the IRS, FTC, and FBI have issued repeated warnings about scammers
impersonating tax preparers to steal Social Security numbers and gain access to
sensitive personal financial records and accounts. (Link to IRS Report HERE)

Below is a simple checklist every self-employed mortgage borrower should follow before ordering a “CPA letter” and trusting any tax professional with their personal data.

Legitimate tax firms display their IRS credentials (CTEC, CPA, PTIN, etc.) on all marketing and communications. This information should be prominently displayed on websites, forums, social media, and included with all emails and text messages. 

Self-employed mortgage borrowers seeking “CPA letters” can easily click to confirm the licenses are real and active. (Link to IRS website)

REMEMBER:  It isn’t just an “oversight” when a tax firm hides its IRS license information. It’s a RED FLAG. They may be concealing damaging disciplinary actions, expired credentials, or operating without proper and legal authorization.

Example: Proper IRS licensing being displayed in an email signature profile photo

Only trust VERIFIED review platforms:

AI-generated reviews are easy to fake on websites, landing pages, or “testimonial” pages. If a tax firm has no verified reviews, or only unverified reviews on their own website, proceed with caution. Reputable tax firms will post reviews on social media AND tag the reviewers as additional proof of legitimacy. Here is an example:

Every legitimate tax professional maintains an active LinkedIn profile. If the business and/or tax professional does not have a LinkedIn account, or the company only reports employee profiles outside the country while claiming to be based in the USA, that’s a serious credibility gap you shouldn’t ignore.

LinkedIn is the easiest way to confirm the person you’re dealing with is a real professional. And not just a fabricated identity.  (Link to a confirmed LinkedIn profile HERE)

Every tax firm carries Tax Return E&O insurance. But very few carry the much more difficult to qualify for, higher-standard Verification E&O coverage for self-employment “CPA letter” verifications. 

There are only a few reasons why a tax professional would claim these two policies are “the same thing” or “doesn’t matter”

These are all more RED FLAGS. And all of them result in YOU ASSUMING 100% OF THE RISK.

Fake tax firms don’t just steal refunds. They steal identities. Government agencies warn tax firm scammers are using tax-firm impersonation to harvest:

Once stolen, this data is used for fraudulent returns, credit fraud, and long-term identity theft.

Self-employed mortgage borrowers deserve transparency, verified credentials, dependable and accurate CPA letters, and real protections. 

USTaxCerts was built to raise all these standards.

Ensuring every “CPA letter” verification is backed by licensed professionals, and delivered in an audit-ready compliant lender-friendly process, with industry leading $2M per-order E&O coverage.

Most tax firms hope you don’t know how to vet them. 

We’re the opposite. We teach you exactly how to eliminate the pretenders. 

If you want a tax firm who is transparent, licensed, bonded, insured, and proud to prove it, choose USTaxCerts.  Click HERE or call us now 877.251.5522

Thank you,
Respectfully,

Danny C. Flucke
Founder | NonQMVerifi®
Powered by USTaxCerts®

Self-Employment & Business Verifications For NonQM Lending
$2M Per-File Attestation Coverage

www.NonQMVerifi.com | www.USTaxCerts.com

Scenario Desk: Expense Ratios | Verification Letters | P&L's
[email protected]

Office: 877.251.5522
Direct: 714.624.9479

Texas Based | Veteran Owned & Operated | Serving All 50 States