Data Privacy and Cybersecurity Alert: Tax season is also identity theft season

April is a critical time of year for businesses and individuals to assess their vulnerabilities to the onslaught of identity theft. Tax season finds the IRS inundated with filings and requests for tax refunds throughout the country. The government, unfortunately, lacks the manpower to ensure all of these filings are legitimate. Identity thieves, who now include sophisticated organized criminal groups among their ranks, are filing fraudulent tax returns by the thousands using stolen social security numbers acquired throughout the year. As a result, if you choose to file an extension on your return, you could be giving thieves the time they need to file your return first!