Makers of tax-filing software are also incorporating beefed up security features into their offerings. Intuit Inc., maker of TurboTax, unveiled new security options in November, including fingerprint authentication on Apple devices and multi-step account sign-ins using one-time codes. Since many customers have used the tax software for years, the company can also check patterns of use such as how early the person files or the pace at which she works.
Still, online tax software is a juicy target. Rival TaxAct identified suspicious activity late last year, and says fewer than 500 returns were accessed. It’s added security measures since then.
“At this point in the season,” TaxAct said in a statement, “we are not currently seeing unusual levels of fraudulent activity.”