The IRS just announced that IRS.gov was hacked again.
Last year it was reported that the IRS was hacked. According to the IRS, identity thieves stole taxpayer information from 220,000 taxpayers. The thieves used the IRS “Get Transcript” system available on the IRS.gov website.
The IRS website was hacked again. This time the thieves used an automated bot to generate E-file PINs for 460,000 stolen social security numbers. The thieves were able to generate 101,000 E-file PINs. An E-file PIN is required to electronically file a tax return. With the stolen social security number and E-file PIN, the identity thieves have sufficient information to E-file fraudulent tax returns.
The IRS said attempts to actually file fraudulent returns have been blocked. The IRS will send a letter to all affected taxpayers. A federal investigation was started to find the source of the hack.