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Protect Yourself from Identity Theft with IRS Online Accounts and IP PINs

In today’s digital world, identity theft and fraud are on the rise, especially during tax season and in light of the recent hack of the largest number of social security numbers to date. To help protect taxpayers from these threats, the IRS offers an important tool known as the Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN). Combined with setting up an IRS Online Account, these resources create an extra layer of security that can help safeguard your personal and financial information.

Why You Need an IRS Identity Protection PIN

The IP PIN is a six-digit number that provides protection against tax-related identity theft. It prevents someone else from filing a tax return in your name. The IRS encourages all taxpayers to obtain an IP PIN and establish an online account to ensure their identity and financial data remain secure. While the program is voluntary, it’s a strong line of defense against scammers attempting to steal your identity.

Important things to know about an IP PIN

It’s a six-digit number known only to the taxpayer and the IRS.
The program is voluntary, though it’s strongly encouraged.
In cases of proven identity theft, taxpayers will be assigned an IP […]

By Linkenheimer LLP|2024-09-09T13:51:40+00:00September 9th, 2024|fraud, irs, Tech|0 Comments

IRS Suspends Identity Protection PIN Online Program

The IRS has announced that it has temporarily suspended its online Identify Protection Personal Identification Number (IP PIN) program to look at further strengthening security features of the tool. The IP PIN online program allowed taxpayers, who had received such numbers and then lost or misplaced them, and certain other taxpayers, to retrieve IP PINs online. An IP PIN is a six-digit number assigned to taxpayers to help prevent the misuse of their Social Security Numbers (SSNs) on fraudulent income tax returns. Following the suspension of this system, taxpayers, who are IP PIN holders but who lost their CP01A letters containing an IP PIN, will need to call the IRS. The IRS Statement on IP PIN is available at https://www.irs.gov/uac/Newsroom/IRS-Statement-on-IP-PIN

If you have any questions, please contact your Linkenheimer CPA.

By Linkenheimer LLP|2020-09-03T20:05:14+00:00March 11th, 2016|irs|0 Comments

IRS Sending out ID Verification Letters

IRS Is Sending out Identity Verification Letters to Possible Identity Theft Victims: In its efforts to combat identity theft, the IRS is stopping suspicious tax returns that have indications of being identity theft, but contain a real taxpayer’s name and/or social security number and sending out (by US Postal Service) Letter 5071C to request that the taxpayer verify his or her identity. (The IRS will not email or telephone the taxpayer directly to request this information so please be cautious of anyone calling or emailing claiming to be from the IRS.) Taxpayers may use the idverify.irs.gov site or call a toll-free number on the letter to confirm their identity, but the IRS is encouraging the use of idverify.irs.gov as the safest, fastest option. Once their identity is verified, the taxpayers can confirm whether or not they filed the return in question. If so, it will take approximately six weeks to process it and issue a refund. If not, the IRS can take steps at that time to assist them. If you have any questions, please contact your Linkenheimer CPA.

By Linkenheimer LLP|2020-09-03T20:05:30+00:00March 24th, 2015|irs|0 Comments