Tax Scams Are Getting Smarter, Are You Protected?

Tax season isn’t just about forms and refunds anymore. It’s about protecting your identity before someone else claims your refund. In 2025, fraudsters are increasingly using stolen Social Security numbers to file fake returns and steal hard-earned money from unsuspecting taxpayers.

If this sounds scary, it is. But the good news? The IRS has built tools to help protect you, and you can set them up in less time than it takes to drink your coffee.

The two most effective defenses against tax-related identity theft are:

• 1. An IRS Online Account
• 2. An Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN)

When used together, they create a security shield around your tax profile, one that scammers can’t easily bypass.

What Is an IRS Online Account?

The IRS Online Account is your personal digital tax hub. It’s free, secure, and available to every taxpayer in the U.S. Once registered, it gives you access to:

• Your tax balance and payment history
• Digital copies of past tax returns
• Transcripts and IRS notices
• Ability to manage your personal details
• Access to retrieve or create your IP PIN

Setting up the account is straightforward. You’ll need an email address, photo ID, and a phone number for two-step verification. The IRS uses Sign in to ID.me - ID.me a secure third-party identity service, to ensure your data is safe.

Why the Online Account Is More Important Than Ever

Hackers are no longer targeting just high-income earners. Anyone with a refund coming is fair game. In recent years, criminals have been creating fake IRS accounts in taxpayers' names to redirect refunds and steal sensitive data.

When you create your own account first, you prevent scammers from doing it for you.

With an account in place, you can monitor your IRS activity, get alerts, and act fast if anything looks suspicious. It’s one of the simplest ways to stay ahead of identity theft in 2025.

What Is an IP PIN?

An Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN) is a six-digit number assigned by the IRS to confirm that it’s really you filing your tax return. It changes each year, and it’s known only to you and the IRS.

Without the correct IP PIN, no one can file a valid federal tax return using your Social Security number.

Think of it as a second password for your tax return, a layer of security that can’t be guessed, faked, or stolen through a typical phishing email.

Who Should Get an IP PIN?

In the past, IP PINs were offered only to confirmed identity theft victims. But now, any taxpayer with a Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) can voluntarily request one.

Here’s who benefits most:

• People who have previously had their identity compromised
• Freelancers or business owners whose information is widely shared
• High-income individuals
• Anyone who wants to avoid tax fraud before it happens

How to Get Your IP PIN (3 Simple Methods)

1. Online (Most Recommended)

• Go to IRS.gov
• Sign in or create an account
• Navigate to the IP PIN section
• After ID verification, your PIN is issued instantly

Sign in to ID.me - ID.me

2. Form 15227 (If AGI is Under $84,000)

• Fill out and mail the form
• IRS will call you for identity verification
• Your IP PIN will arrive by mail in about 4–6 weeks

3. In-Person Verification

• Schedule an appointment at a Taxpayer Assistance Center (To schedule an appointment, call 844-545-5640.)
• Bring two forms of government-issued ID
• You’ll receive your IP PIN by mail in 3 weeks

How IP PINs and Online Accounts Work Together

Using both tools gives you maximum control.

Let’s say someone tries to file a fake return using your SSN. Without the IP PIN, their return is rejected. Meanwhile, your online account notifies you if any suspicious activity happens, like attempts to access your transcript or change your contact details.

These tools act like a virtual lock and alarm system.

Online Account = Awareness
IP PIN = Prevention

Real-World Story: Why This Matters

Meet Jamal, a father of three from Ohio. In 2023, he filed his return in March, only to discover someone had already submitted one in his name. It took six months to sort out.

Since then, he created his IRS Online Account, enabled two-factor authentication, and enrolled in the IP PIN program.

Now, every January, Jamal gets his new PIN and peace of mind. His 2024 refund? Filed early, processed fast, and fully protected.

Important Tips to Remember

• Never share your IP PIN by email, text, or over the phone
• Only enter it on IRS-authorized websites or secure tax software
• If you lose your PIN, log in to your IRS Online Account to retrieve it
• A new PIN is issued each January; make sure to get it before filing season

Why These Tools Are Trending in 2025

Searches for “IRS online account 2025” and “get IRS PIN online” have increased dramatically since January. Taxpayers are becoming increasingly savvy, and with AI-driven fraud on the rise, protecting your identity is no longer optional.

In fact, according to IRS data, returns filed with an IP PIN have 99% fewer fraudulent attempts than those without one.

If you wait until fraud hits, it’s already too late. Prevention beats correction every time.