Tax-related identity theft can delay your refund for months. The IRS offers a six-digit Identity Protection PIN to anyone who can verify their identity. We compare identity protection plans that add monitoring and recovery help.
Tell us who you’d like covered, and a licensed agent will follow up by phone or video.
By submitting, you agree a licensed insurance agent may contact you about identity protection options.
The IRS has its own tools against tax identity theft. Here’s how they fit with a plan.
| Tool | How it works | How a plan fits |
|---|---|---|
| IRS Identity Protection PIN | A six-digit number valid for one calendar year | A plan watches for your SSN beyond tax filings |
| IRS online account | Fastest way to request your IP PIN | Restoration help if a fraudulent return is filed |
| Form 15227 | IP PIN request for lower-income filers who can't verify online | Insurance may cover some recovery expenses |
We point you to the IRS and credit bureau steps you can take yourself.
We compare monitoring, restoration help, and insurance limits.
We look at plans that also cover business identity risks.
An IP PIN is a six-digit number that prevents someone else from filing a federal tax return with your Social Security number. Anyone with an SSN or ITIN who can verify their identity can get one, and parents can request them for dependents. It’s valid for one calendar year, and a new one is issued each year.
The fastest way is through your IRS online account. If you can’t verify online and your adjusted gross income is below $84,000, or $168,000 for joint filers, you can submit Form 15227 and verify by phone. Otherwise, you can verify in person at a Taxpayer Assistance Center.
Many plans monitor for misuse of your Social Security number and offer restoration specialists who help you work through IRS steps if a fraudulent return is filed. Some plans include insurance for related expenses. An IP PIN is still the main safeguard for your federal return itself.
Some plans add business identity monitoring, watching for changes to business filings or misuse of an employer identification number. Coverage varies widely, and many personal plans don’t include it. If you own a Vista business, we compare plans that cover both personal and business identity.
Restoration services assign a specialist who helps you contact creditors, place fraud alerts, file reports, and dispute fraudulent accounts. Some plans offer limited power of attorney so the specialist can act on your behalf. This help is often as valuable as the insurance reimbursement itself.
Tell us who you’d like covered, and a licensed agent will lay out plan options by phone or video.
