Police residents warn of tax fraud

A 71-year-old Rochester Hills resident discovered he was the victim of identity theft on March 26, after learning someone had filed fraudulent tax returns in his name.

The incident was reported to the Oakland County Sheriff's Office's Rochester Hills' substation the same day.

The incident comes as the neighboring Rochester Police Department warned residents that fraudulent tax returns were expected to be on the rise.

"As the final tax date approaches, we are expecting to see more of these reports made. Residents are encouraged to check their credit reports periodically for suspicious activity and file a report immediately if there appears to be any concerning issues," the department said in a news release. "Also follow the instruction of the IRS in the event that you discover that someone has already filed a fraudulent return in your name. Don't hesitate to contact the Rochester Police Department if there are any questions about this process."