Two-factor authentication. It’s something that has become more common to any one of us that uses a computer, smartphone, or tablet. As culture and society from the United States of America to around the world becomes more cloud-based in a digital world – passkeys, Personal Identification Numbers (PIN numbers), and even facial recognition technology are moving to the forefront to open the vault of exposed information. All of this is to prevent one thing: identity theft.
Traditionally when you log into an account, all that you need is your user name and password. Your account has an email address or phone number attached to it; a code is then sent to that point of contact and submitted. It seems safe, right? Usually that’s enough to give you the peace of mind one needs, but not anymore. Passwords can be guessed through multiple combinations, data hacks and breaches can cause this information to get stolen on a microscale level. A mesoscale level? That data breach would be orchestrated by a brute force attack on your information through any one of your accounts, like from a bank or credit card.
IP Pin For Your Tax Return
That single layer of authentication is vulnerable, but two-factor authentication (2FA) strengthens the safety of your unprotected information. Think of it as a defense trying to sack a quarterback in football. The defensive line has to go through the offensive line which is protecting the passer. Once there is a hole in the O-Line, that allows the defense to get to the quarterback. Our goal with two-factor authentication – make sure that quarterback does not get sacked or in our case, hacked.
The evolution of cyber crime is growing at a pace where technology can’t keep up. The rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in our world is inevitable as it is common now more than ever. Due to this, the potential for fraud, identity theft, and hacks have significantly grown over time. AI tools can be used by criminals to springboard new scams, create malware and phishing schemes that seem to be authentic, and clone emails with dirty and broken links that lead to viruses. Those automated hacking attempts cause everyday people to be on guard with their exposed information.
According to a 2025 report from the IRS Criminal Investigation division: there has been a 32% rise in cyber crime investigations for fraudulent tax filings compared to just about a decade ago. Why have these uses of criminal and technological misconduct increased so much in so little time? Much of these rapid cyber crimes are related to post-COVID 19 pandemic schemes. Targets included small to medium sized businesses, nonprofit organizations, charities, and even political campaigns. As the government relief programs became one of the biggest targets for hacks and data breaches across the globe, it was a fraudster’s dream come true. Cyber crooks filed false claims with potentially stolen information that did not belong to them. It’s a way criminals are taking monies and refunds from the American taxpayer. If someone files a false tax return in your name and Social Security number before you do – you could face potential delays, fees, audits, IRS investigations, not to mention the days and months of stress; this is just trying to prove to the government who you really are with every form of identification that you can find. So what can you do to protect your tax returns and liabilities?
The main way that you can prevent your tax filings with the Internal Revenue Service to be secure: it’s called an Identity Protection Personal Identification Number – or the IP PIN for short. The IRS’ own version of two-factor authentication acts as a shield for your tax identity. It is a six-digit code that prevents another entity or individual from filing your tax return without a signed 8879 form of consent. The IP Pin is linked to your Social Security number and is only known to you and the IRS. Plus, it changes every year to safeguard your information further. Without your IP Pin, your tax return cannot be filed with the IRS. If someone tries to file it either electronically or by paper mail, it will automatically get rejected. This measure of safety significantly lowers the risk of an individual or hacking authority from stealing your tax refund or filing false tax documents with your identity.
To obtain an IP Pin from the Internal Revenue Service, just go to the IRS website and create an online account if you don’t have one already. Log in and follow the steps within your online account to set up the PIN number and create a financial safeguard for you and your family. Any two-factor authentication is never 100% foolproof, but the more steps you take to protect yourself and your information, the better.
