Tax season means two things: refund checks and identity thieves working overtime to steal them. But the IRS has a new defense—the Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN). This six-digit code prevents scammers from filing fake tax returns in your name. Think of it as a password for your taxes, one that changes annually to keep fraudsters guessing.
Getting an IP PIN is surprisingly easy (unlike many things involving the IRS). Taxpayers sign up, verify their identity, and receive a unique PIN to use when filing. Without it, scammers can’t submit a return in your name—even if they have your Social Security number.
Since the PIN changes each year, fraudsters are locked out indefinitely. Officials urge taxpayers to enroll and report suspicious tax-related activity before criminals strike.
If you think tax identity theft is rare, think again. Scammers file early—often before you even gather your W-2s. Once they submit a fake return in your name, they collect the refund and disappear. When you finally file, the IRS rejects your return because, in their system, you’ve already filed. Clearing up the mess can take months, even years, as the Wall Street Journal reports.
“It is extremely important that people should report identity theft. Don’t be embarrassed about it. It is a universal problem that we all have no matter where you are,” Kelle Slaughter, senior investigator at the Dallas Federal Trade Commission office, said. “When people report identity theft to the FTC, we share those reports with other law enforcement agencies that have the authority to investigate and take action. Law enforcement is also analyzing those reports to determine how to shut down the scammers. It helps us to develop our casework.”
Adding to the tax season chaos, the newly formed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is investigating IRS computer systems, raising concerns about potential data breaches and misuse of taxpayer information.
Between scammers hijacking refunds and tech moguls poking around IRS systems, one thing is clear: Tax season is no longer just about filing forms. Whether you’re protecting yourself from identity thieves or keeping an eye on government shake-ups, securing an IP PIN—and filing early—might be your smartest move this year.
