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Freedom251 › Blog › identity theft

How to Protect Your IRS Online Account and Tax Information

By Freedom251 Team · · 4 min read

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Protect your IRS Online Account with a unique password and multifactor authentication, secure the email account and device you use to reach it, and consider an IRS Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN) to help stop someone else from filing a federal tax return in your name. If you suspect a scam or identity theft, stop communicating with the person and follow the IRS’s reporting steps.

Secure your IRS Online Account and the devices around it

Start by navigating to IRS.gov yourself rather than using a link in an unexpected message. Sign in to Online Account and enable the multifactor authentication offered for your account. Use a strong, unique password that you do not reuse for email, banking, tax software, or other sites. The IRS recommends strong unique passwords and two-factor authentication where available (IRS Tax Security 101).

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Protect the email account associated with financial and tax services with its own unique password and multifactor authentication where available. Email access can help someone reset other account passwords or impersonate you; this is a general security precaution, not a separate IRS account requirement.

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  • Keep your operating system, browser, and security software updated, and leave security software and firewall protection enabled, as the IRS advises (IRS Tax Security 101).
  • Avoid sensitive IRS account activity on public Wi-Fi. IRS taxpayer guidance recommends using a VPN when connecting to public Wi-Fi; a VPN does not make a fake or fraudulent site trustworthy (IRS guidance).
  • Store tax records securely and share only the information a tax preparer needs. The IRS advises taxpayers to protect sensitive records and personal information (IRS Tax Security 101).

How to get an IRS IP PIN

An Identity Protection PIN is a free, six-digit number known to you and the IRS. It helps verify your identity when you file a covered federal return and helps prevent someone else from filing one using your identity. The IRS says eligible taxpayers can request one even if they are not required to file a return. A new PIN is issued each year, so retrieve the current one when needed rather than relying on last year’s number. The IRS’s 2026 guidance says taxpayers with an SSN or ITIN who can verify their identity may request one, including taxpayers living abroad (IRS Tax Tip 2026).

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  1. Go to IRS.gov independently and sign in to your IRS Online Account.
  2. Open the Profile section and follow the IP PIN request steps. The online account is the quickest route described by the IRS.
  3. Retrieve and protect the PIN. If you are enrolled, use it on applicable returns; the IRS lists Forms 1040, 1040-NR, 1040-PR, 1040-SR, 1040-SS, and 1040-X. Treat the PIN like a password and do not disclose it in response to an unsolicited request.

A tax professional cannot request an IP PIN for a client, although the professional may use a PIN the taxpayer provides for return preparation. The IRS will never call, email, or text to request an IP PIN (IRS IP PIN guidance).

If you cannot verify online

The IRS lists two alternatives for people who cannot access or create an online account. Form 15227 is available only to people who meet its eligibility criteria; the IRS FAQ updated January 8, 2026 lists adjusted gross income below $84,000 for an individual or $168,000 for married filing jointly. These limits can change, so check the live IRS IP PIN FAQ before applying. If the form route is unavailable, the IRS says to make an appointment at a Taxpayer Assistance Center. The IRS source does not establish a dependable processing-time comparison between these options.

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  • Refillable and Long Term Use: this confidential stamp can cover a total length of up to 100 meter/ 109 yards, approximately 3,200 prints are covered, pattern width is about 0.78 inches; When ink runs out, you can refill the security stamp with ink
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Route When it may fit What to expect
Form 15227 You cannot validate online and meet the IRS eligibility criteria, including the applicable AGI limit. Use the form route described by the IRS FAQ; check the current form and instructions for identity verification and next steps.
Taxpayer Assistance Center You cannot use the online route and Form 15227 is unavailable for your situation. Make an appointment and follow the IRS instructions for in-person identity verification.
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Recognize IRS impersonation scams

Do not trust an unsolicited email, text, call, or social-media message just because it uses an IRS logo, your name, or official-sounding language. Be especially wary of threats, urgent refund claims, demands for payment, or requests for passwords or an IP PIN. The IRS says it will not request an IP PIN by phone, email, or text (IRS guidance).

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  • Re Inking Unlimitedly: the information blocker stamp can cover information of the length about 100 meters. And each security stamper roller has an oil hole, so you don't have to worry about you having to throw away the roller stamps when the ink runs out. They can be refilled with oil for repeated use, saving time and energy
  • Cover Fast: our identity protection rollers come in 2 different sizes, and you can choose different sizes according to different areas of information to cover large amounts of private information in a fast and clean way, avoiding identity theft and rejecting privacy disclosure harassment
  • Easy to Use: just remove the lid on the ID stamp blocker roller and open it, and then gently slide it on the place where the information needs to be covered. It is suitable for most ordinary paper with black words, and can protect your personal privacy in time
  • Save Time and Energy: compared with the shredder, the personal confidential stamp has a small size, easy to carry, can be applied anytime and anywhere. Compared to the marker, it covers a larger area and can be quickly covered with a single swipe. There is no need to worry about whether you can not protect your privacy in time
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Mimorou 4 Pack ID Security Roller Stamps, 5 Inks, Yellow
  • Personal Information Protection: there are 4 pieces of address blocker roller stamps in 2 different sizes, and 5 pieces of 1.5 ml inks, a total of 9 pieces. Mainly applied to hide information such as social security numbers, bank statements, billing addresses, shipping addresses, tax documents and so on, protecting your personal information
  • Re Inking Unlimitedly: the information blocker stamp can cover information of the length about 100 meters. And each security stamper roller has an oil hole, so you don't have to worry about you having to throw away the roller stamps when the ink runs out. They can be refilled with oil for repeated use, saving time and energy
  • Cover Fast: our identity protection rollers come in 2 different sizes, and you can choose different sizes according to different areas of information to cover large amounts of private information in a fast and clean way, avoiding identity theft and rejecting privacy disclosure harassment
  • Easy to Use: just remove the lid on the ID stamp blocker roller and open it, and then gently slide it on the place where the information needs to be covered. It is suitable for most ordinary paper with black words, and can protect your personal privacy in time
  • Save Time and Energy: compared with the shredder, the personal confidential stamp has a small size, easy to carry, can be applied anytime and anywhere. Compared to the marker, it covers a larger area and can be quickly covered with a single swipe. There is no need to worry about whether you can not protect your privacy in time
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  • Effortlessly block out sensitive text with the label cover up identity protection, designed for quick, one-handed use. No more scraping off all shipping labels or doing a lot of swipes with a marker! Even first-time users will find the process intuitive and straightforward, making it a practical label eraser roller for anyone!
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  • Do not click suspicious links or download unexpected attachments. The IRS has advised taxpayers never to click links or download attachments from unknown or suspicious emails (IRS Tax Security 101).
  • Type IRS.gov into your browser yourself, then navigate to Online Account. HTTPS alone does not prove that a site is genuinely operated by the IRS.
  • Do not send money or personal information to someone who contacted you unexpectedly while claiming to be the IRS.

What to do if you were scammed or exposed

  1. End the interaction. Do not send more money or personal information, and do not continue through links or contact details supplied by the suspected scammer.
  2. If you shared financial information or sent funds, contact your financial institution promptly and follow its instructions.
  3. Secure your email and IRS access: change reused or exposed passwords, enable multifactor authentication where available, and sign in to IRS.gov independently.
  4. If identity or financial information was stolen, follow the steps at IdentityTheft.gov, as the IRS advises.
  5. If you suspect tax-related identity theft, use IRS Identity Theft Central and its individual identity-theft guide. Form 14039 is one reporting route when applicable; follow the IRS guide to determine whether it fits your case.
  6. Consider requesting an IP PIN to help protect future covered federal filings. It cannot undo prior theft or guarantee a refund.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

identity theftIP PINIRS Online Accountphishing scamstax security

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