Comment PIN to get step by step instructions on how to opt into the IRS’ Identity Protection PIN program. Tax identity theft is when a thief with your name, address, and Social Security Number files a fraudulent tax return to get your tax refund. In 2024, the IRS flagged 2,500,000 - 3,400,000 tax returns as suspicious and of those, 105,000 were confirmed to have been fraudulent. The IRS IP PIN program is a free opt-in program where you get a six digit PIN that you must put on your tax return or