Pulling off the crime
Fraudsters prefer to use commonly available tax preparation software. Forms are quickly put together, so they can file dozens or hundreds in a single day. And it partially shields them from dealing directly with the IRS.
Clever fraudsters will only use SSNs in a specific state or zip code, in an attempt to not raise any alarms at the IRS, said Adam Tyler, an executive at CSID, which monitors those shady marketplaces.
As for cashing it in and sneaking away, that’s easy too. The IRS will direct-deposit the money to whatever bank account number you provide. And that includes nearly untraceable prepaid debit cards — the throwaway kind you buy at gas stations.
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