Urgent notice from the IRS in the United States: don't get distracted by this, you have a lot at stake

In the United States, Social Security and the IRS have issued a clear warning. It is for tax professionals and taxpayers to take appropriate measures with caution and avoid complicating their lives.

The message has been direct and necessary. Protecting your identifications, using multiple security factors, and taking advantage of tools like the Identity Protection PIN and the IRS Online Account is a necessity.

Urgent message from SSA about the IRS: do it today

SSA, through its Office of the Inspector General, warns about the danger of scammers who use the Social Security Number (SSN) to commit fraud. The first step to protect yourself, according to SSA, is not to carry your Social Security Number on a regular basis. You should avoid saying it out loud in public and pay attention to possible phishing attempts.

They recommend creating a personal "my Social Security" account to review your record, detect irregularities, and apply blocks that prevent unauthorized changes through electronic services. 

The importance of MFA in the United States

Meanwhile, the IRS has made an urgent call: tax professionals and taxpayers must implement multi-factor authentication (MFA), use the Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN), and create an IRS Online Account. These mechanisms strengthen the defense against tax identity theft.

MFA requires more than just a password to access systems or applications, for example, a code sent to your cell phone or a biometric detail. This ensures that only the real user accesses sensitive information. In addition, the IP PIN, a six-digit code, acts as an additional guard when filing taxes.

Only those who legitimately possess it (taxpayer or IRS) can file the return correctly. IRS also reminds that professionals can't obtain the IP PIN on behalf of their clients; they must obtain it themselves, and the administration never requests this PIN by call, text, or email. 

Why are these tools essential?

In an environment where tax identity theft is on the rise, protecting your identifications is vital. The IP PIN prevents scammers from filing fraudulent returns in your name and speeds up resolution if a breach has already occurred.

On the other hand, MFA and the IRS Online Account safeguard confidential information on digital platforms. These tools, combined, are a wall for your tax security.