Here is another one for the “Stupid Preparer” files.

What do you really know about your tax return preparer?

If you hired Debra Windham of Chicago a former secretary with the IRS Criminal Investigative Division, your tax return might have been involved in a tax fraud scheme that resulted in a loss to the government of approximately $850,000. The government has filed suit seeking a permanent injunction against Ms. Wildham.

According to the complaint, Ms. Windham allegedly prepared tax returns for clients claiming bogus deductions and then applied for refund anticipation loans in her client’s name without their consent. In addition, as part of her scheme, she allegedly prepared two sets of returns, one she presented to her client and another return claiming the fraudulent deductions that she filed with the IRS. Ms. Windham then pocketed the additional refunds claimed on the returns.