It’s no secret that the information in your tax return is pure gold for identity thieves, who can use it to obtain bogus tax refunds or simply steal your identity for non-tax-related nefarious profits.
Unfortunately, it’s all too easy for some thieves to get your tax return information. As many as 70% of all taxpayers are eligible to use Free File, according to the IRS. This is a no-cost electronic tax-return preparation and filing option offered by more than a dozen private companies in concert with the IRS. But in February 2016 almost half of these free-file providers were found wanting when it came to security.
