| The Treasury Department inspector general has | | | | information by the |
| reported a | | | | |
| | | | managers in their departments.The taxpayer |
| distinct weakness in the security | | | | database maintained by the IRS contains |
| surrounding the IRS computer | | | | |
| | | | incredibly valuable information. The hacks |
| systems. Unlike the problems found with | | | | of Choicepoint and |
| other security | | | | |
| | | | LexisNexus pail in comparison to a hack of |
| systems, this one is human.The Treasury | | | | the IRS database. |
| Department inspector general conducted a | | | | |
| study to | | | | Imagine a hacker getting access to the tax |
| | | | identification |
| see if IRS employees could be manipulated | | | | |
| into providing | | | | numbers of every person and business in the |
| | | | United States. |
| information that would compromise computer | | | | |
| security. Treasury | | | | Making matters worse, the database also |
| | | | contains the name and |
| Department inspectors called IRS agents and | | | | |
| managers posing as | | | | number of every account kicking out interest |
| | | | and dividends for |
| computer technicians. The inspectors told | | | | |
| the employees that | | | | each taxpayer including bank accounts and |
| | | | investment accounts. |
| they were trying to fix problems with the | | | | |
| computer network | | | | The exposure of such information would be a |
| | | | windfall for |
| platform. They then asked the employess to | | | | |
| provide the login | | | | identity theft scams.The IRS has responded |
| | | | to the study by sending an email to all |
| and passwords for their administrative | | | | |
| accounts. More than | | | | employees alerting them of the rules |
| | | | regarding divulging |
| one-third of the agents provided the | | | | |
| information and even | | | | information. You have to wonder how long the |
| | | | employees will |
| allowed the inspectors to change the | | | | |
| passwords.The IRS has rules in place that | | | | keep it in mind.Richard Chapo is an attorney |
| prohibit employees from | | | | with |
| | | | |
| divulging passwords. Despite these rules, | | | | - a law firm providing |
| employees gave | | | | |
| | | | legal advice to California businesses. This |
| several reasons for providing the | | | | article is for |
| information. Some said they | | | | |
| | | | general education purposes and does not |
| were not suspicious of foul play while | | | | address every facet of |
| others wanted to be | | | | |
| | | | the subject matter. Nothing in this article |
| helpful to the technicians. Some employees | | | | creates an |
| were suspicious, | | | | |
| | | | attorney-client relationship. |
| but were given permission to provide the | | | | |