Tax filing season is underway and due to the increase in fraud and identity theft, the IRS is increasing their fraud filters during the processing of all individual returns.
 

Jennifer Jenkins, IRS Field Media Relations for Ohio and West/Westcentral Pennsylvania, said the IRS is making progress with its effort.

"Identity theft with regard to tax refund fraud ha been an increasing problem for the IRS. We are actively and aggressively combating this problem. We're increasing the filters the returns go through to better screen out any fraudulent returns that are related to identity theft," Jenkins said.

The number of IRS criminal investigations into identity theft more than tripled in fiscal year 2012.
 

The IRS has assigned more than 3,000 employees to work on identity theft related issues. In addition the IRS has trained 35,000 employees who work taxpayers to recognize identity theft indicators and help victims of identity theft.
  

If you believe you are at risk of identity theft due to lost or stolen personal information contact the IRS Identity Protection Specialized Unit at 1-800-908-4490 or visit ww.irs.gov for more information.