Protect Yourself From Tax Identity Theft with an IRS provided PIN

Protect Yourself From Tax Identity Theft - Here’s how to limit your risk of tax refund fraud

Excerpt:

The IRS issues victims of tax identity theft a six-digit Identity Protection PIN for use in filing returns once cases have been resolved. Returns can’t be filed without the number, and the taxpayer receives a new one every year. But you don’t have to be a victim to obtain such a PIN. ... people who are potential victims of identity theft—be it from a stolen purse or a data breach—can notify the IRS by filing Form 14039, “Identity Theft Affidavit,” and checking Box 2. The IRS may or may not grant a PIN, but filing the form could qualify taxpayers for other heightened security measures, according to an IRS spokeswoman.

Comment: Link to IRS article. Link to IRS form.