MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) --- As the United States' tax season approaches, the scammers creep in. The Wisconsin Better Business Bureau says con artists use the Social Security numbers of unsuspecting Americans to file phony tax returns and steal refunds. BBB says one way to protect this information is to use an Identity Protection PIN issued by the IRS. If you filed a return online, a number may have been issued to you last year. Scammers can get a hold of personal information, typically an account holder's Social Security number, address, and birth date. Before you can get around to filing, a scammer can file your return early and receive your refund. BBB says tax ID theft is a particularly sneaky con, because victims typically don't realize they have been targeted until they actually file their taxes.