Social Security Number on The Dark Web

[waynezo]

Aproximately 10 years ago I froze my credit bureaus and added fraud alerts. Last September someone opened an EIN # with my name and address. After months of letters to IRS business division, I canceled it. I have been alerted by credit monioring service that my SS# is on the dark web thanks to the AT&T data breach. I have placed an IP Pin on my SS# so no one can file a fraudulent tax return with my SS#.

Is there anything else I can do to block my SS#?

Can someone open an EIN with just your name and address? What kind of scam can they pull with a fraudulent EIN#?

 

[jebmke]

Block from what?

 

[waynezo]

Block from what?

Any fraudulent use.

 

[jebmke]

Not that I know of. I'm not even sure how one would do that. The IP PIN will prevent a tax return filing. The credit lock will prevent use of YOUR credit. What else do you have that you need to protect? If you don't have all the security features available from your financial institutions activated, that would be a good step, yes?

As a practical matter, I focus my attention on ME not being defrauded. If someone were to defraud someone else with my credentials, well - I'd feel bad but not that bad.

 

[rk911]

...

The credit lock will prevent use of YOUR credit.

Usually...almost always. We have frozen our accounts with the big 3 + Innovis as well but in a conversation with an employee with one of the big three credit monitoring agencies I was told that while almost all credit issuers will pull a credit report before issuing credit it is not a requirement to do so. We still subscribe to identity theft protection to, hopefully, fill that potential gap.

 

[GenXguy]

Fraud alerts expire, so you might want to check if it's still active. I had one on my credit a few years ago due to a fraudulent unemployment compensation claim that was so common in this state. That expired in a year, but I left the credit frozen at Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.

 

[foxcreek9]

Credit Karma. Chase, Discover, Amex, and Mastercard all off free credit/SSN monitoring and I can attest they work. Whenever I open a new checking account or CC within the hour I get emails from all alerting me to that inquiry.

 

[jazz4cash]

We get IRS IP PINs each year and use them to file but I am not sure if my return would be rejected if I do not provide the PIN.

 

[single2019]

We get IRS IP PINs each year and use them to file but I am not sure if my return would be rejected if I do not provide the PIN.

From IRS: “If you file your return without your IRS assigned IP PIN:
We’ll reject your electronic return, and you won't be able to e-file
We’ll subject your paper return to additional screenings to validate your identity, delaying any refund you may be due”

 

[VanWinkle]

We get IRS IP PINs each year and use them to file but I am not sure if my return would be rejected if I do not provide the PIN.

As a tax preparer for AARP, they get rejected every time if the taxpayer forgets to get a new pin each year.

 

[BGold]

I’m in the process of having to establish my identity with the IRS. It seems someone has used my identity to claim my tax refund this year. After multiple phone calls that required proving I am who I say I am, I’ve obtained a scheduled interview with my local IRS office. It’s been quite the headache. Sheesh!

 

[audreyh1]

Unfortunately identity theft is always a big headache for the victim. The alternative (no recourse) would be way worse. They’ve got to make sure they have the right person.

 

[frank05]

Krebs from Krebs on Security blog recommends “planting your flag” on the social security, medicare and IRS websites so no third party can do it.

 

[teej1985]

Krebs from Krebs on Security blog recommends “planting your flag” on the social security, medicare and IRS websites so no third party can do it.

How would one do this re: Medicare? They accept registrations for those under 65 who are not receiving SSDI?

 

[statsman]

Krebs from Krebs on Security blog recommends “planting your flag” on the social security, medicare and IRS websites so no third party can do it.

I just recently registered for a Medicare online account, and I had one for some time for Social Security, but I have never had one for the IRS. I haven't had the need before. What reasons besides the above would I use an IRS online account?

 

[Sunset]

Krebs from Krebs on Security blog recommends “planting your flag” on the social security, medicare and IRS websites so no third party can do it.

Too bad they didn't tell the IRS...

I've had an IRS account for years, great for looking up my info, paying my taxes, applying for my PIN and getting my PIN..

This year they now only allow login via id.me , so my old login is gone and so far I've been unable to do the id.me routine to completion, it's failing at the photo the id's part..

Thankfully they snail mailed our PIN a few months ago or I'd be up the creek.

 

[Chuckanut]

The Equifax data breach of a few years ago, pretty much spilled the beans on many of us to the dark web.

 

[frank05]

Too bad they didn't tell the IRS...

I've had an IRS account for years, great for looking up my info, paying my taxes, applying for my PIN and getting my PIN..

This year they now only allow login via id.me , so my old login is gone and so far I've been unable to do the id.me routine to completion, it's failing at the photo the id's part..

Thankfully they snail mailed our PIN a few months ago or I'd be up the creek.

I have used the same pin for years and never have applied for a new one.

 

[jazz4cash]

I have used the same pin for years and never have applied for a new one.

What PIN are you referring to? A PIN to access an IRS website? With so many PINs I’m getting confused. We are assigned new IRS ID PINs automatically every year. We reported identity theft a few years ago when our state notified us that a fraudulent return had been filed. Apparently they filed for our current state of residence as well as Federal and a state I lived in 40 yrs ago!

 

[RetiredHappy]

We don't get a PIN at all when we file using TT. What am I missing?

 

[BGold]

I recently completed the id.me registration which went through smoothly, but was unable to complete the IRS online identity verification (the link would not go through and continued in a loop). It took several phone calls asking for all my info including previous tax filing data just to get to a third person who scheduled a local IRS visit. Gotta say they were cautious. Even though this was tedious, I appreciate the protection.

 

[single2019]

How would one do this re: Medicare? They accept registrations for those under 65 who are not receiving SSDI?

No they don’t. To create a medicare account, you need medicare number which is assigned to you after your medicare application is approved

 

[boilerman]

We don't get a PIN at all when we file using TT. What am I missing?

The IRS will issue a PIN to taxpayers who are victims of identity fraud. That PIN will change every year and your return will not be accepted without the PIN. You can also request a PIN from the IRS, but again it will be required every year you file a return and your return will be rejected without it.

I’ve heard that if you request a PIN, that the IRS will not send it to you every year and you have to logon to their website to get your PIN. Not 100% sure if that is still true.

Otherwise, no PIN is required.

 

[frank05]

What PIN are you referring to? A PIN to access an IRS website? With so many PINs I’m getting confused. We are assigned new IRS ID PINs automatically every year. We reported identity theft a few years ago when our state notified us that a fraudulent return had been filed. Apparently they filed for our current state of residence as well as Federal and a state I lived in 40 yrs ago!

The pin requested when filing your yearly tax return electronically.

 

[euro]

The pin requested when filing your yearly tax return electronically.

My son just e-filed and had a choice to give a PIN or last year's AGI. He used AGI (adjusted gross income) and the return was accepted. No PIN.