Identity Finder, a software that protects sensitive information, found that 132,362 organizations published more than 472,866 Social Security Numbers between 2001 and 2006.  Although all Forms 990 are open to public inspection and are generally published on the internet for public viewing (through sites like Guidestar), charitable organizations should carefully review the Form 990 and its instructions to determine whether identifying information is required to be reported.  If such information is required to be reported, the charitable organization should make sure the information is available for public inspection.  Some schedules that are attached to the Form 990 require identifying information, but are not required to be made available for public inspection.  Identifying information on a Form 990 seriously heightens the risk of identify fraud for those individuals whose information is freely available to the public; therefore, charitable  organizations should be careful to only disclose what is required by the IRS.

You can find more information at:   http://www.identityfinder.com/us/Files/TaxReturnExposure.pdf.

Tags: charitable organizations, forms 990, GuideStar, public, Social Security Numbers