COLUMBUS, Ohio - The newest attempt to protect Ohioans from identity theft may make some residents wonder if they're being scammed.  But state tax officials say there's nothing to worry about.

21 News took a call from a viewer who was concerned about a letter he received from the Ohio Department of Taxation informing him that he would need to complete and pass a quiz online or on the phone before the state would give him his state income tax refund.

There have been recent reports of people in the Valley falling victim to an IRS scam.  Victims have been receiving harassing phone calls from people claiming to be IRS agents demanding money. 

However, Ohio Department of Taxation (ODT) Communications Director Gary Gudmundson tells 21 News that their quiz is not a scam.

Gudmundson tells 21 News that the Identity Confirmation Quiz was implemented for the 2015 tax filing season as a legitimate effort to protect Ohioans from identity theft.

Nearly $250,000,000 in fraudulent tax returns were filed last year, compared to the former average of $10 million per year.

In response, ODT implemented the Identity Confirmation Quiz to ensure that Ohioans' tax forms are correct and that refunds are being issued to the right people.

The process, according to Gudmundson, will verify every tax return through a computer system that will flag potentially fraudulent or suspicious returns. The computer system, created by a third party contractor, was created specifically for this task and compares tax filings with information amassed by the company about Ohio residents.

Tax payers will then receive the official letter stating that they will have two chances to complete the Identity Confirmation test.

The quiz may be taken online or over the telephone.  Four questions are asked that only the taxpayer will likely be able to answer.  The person taking the quiz has five minutes to answer at least three of the four questions correctly.

If someone should fail their quiz both times, they will be required to submit documentation confirming their identity.

Gudmundson says that failure to complete the quiz, provide documentation, or prove identity could result in tax refunds being delayed or withheld by the state.

Gudmundson admitted that for some the process could be confusing but that the ODT has agents available to help with the quiz process or the documentation.

To avoid the possibility of scams, Gudmundson explained that the quiz will be preceded by a letter to inform taxpayers that they will be required to take the test.

Gudmundson advises checking the mail for correspondence from the Department of Taxation. He stated that no quizzes would be administered without a letter having been sent out. He also suggests checking the ODT website for information on the quiz and how to get help.

Though the new measure requires tax payers to take time to complete the quiz, Gudmundson says he hopes the inconvenience will be minor and will help stop identity theft.