The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is cautioning taxpayers to be on the lookout for a surge in scams that target both people and businesses as tax season draws near. Since scammers are always changing their strategies, it is essential to identify the most prevalent ones in order to prevent becoming a victim.
1. Phishing Emails and Texts
Phishing emails or texts purporting to be from the IRS or other reliable organizations are used by cybercriminals. Links or attachments in these messages frequently promise to take rapid action, including confirming personal information or paying off a tax debt.Advice: The IRS never contacts you by text or email. Never respond to unsolicited demands for personal information or click on links.
2. Phone Scams
Threatening phone calls are made by impersonators pretending to be IRS officials, stating that prompt payment is necessary to prevent detention or legal action. They frequently request money in the form of bitcoin, wire transfers, or gift cards.Advice: The IRS will never call taxpayers to collect money or threaten to call the police.
3. Identity Theft
In order to submit false tax returns and request refunds, scammers obtain personal information. The fraud is frequently discovered by victims after their valid return is denied.Tip: To beat scammers to the punch, protect your Social Security number and think about paying your taxes early.
4. Fake Tax Preparers
With the promise of exaggerated refunds, dishonest tax preparers entice victims. They might make changes to returns without the taxpayer’s knowledge, which could result in audits or fines.Tip: Use the IRS database of qualified tax preparers and confirm the credentials of your tax preparer.
5. Social Media Scams
Social media channels are used by scammers to disseminate misleading information regarding tax credits or refunds. In order to obtain personal information, they might even pose as the IRS.Advice: Report questionable activities and rely solely on official IRS sources for tax-related information.
6. Charity Fraud
Scammers pretend to be charity organizations in order to gather fictitious gifts that they say are tax deductible, especially during emergencies or natural disasters.Advice: Use resources such as the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search to confirm charities.
7. Evolving Cryptocurrency Scams
As cryptocurrencies gain popularity, con artists are coming up with new strategies to trick taxpayers. Fraudulent investment opportunities or fictitious tax payment requests in cryptocurrencies are examples of such schemes.Tip: Cryptocurrency payments are not accepted by the IRS. Unsolicited investment offers should be avoided.
8. Tax Refund Fraud
In order to redirect refunds to their accounts, scammers use stolen information to file fictitious returns. Additionally, they might issue fictitious checks and then demand payment from gullible victims.Advice: Use the official IRS Where’s My return? tool to check the status of your return.
How to Protect Yourself
-
Be Skeptical:
Question unsolicited calls, emails, or messages claiming to be from the IRS. -
Verify Contacts:
Use official IRS contact numbers to confirm any communication. -
Secure Your Information:
Use strong passwords, enable two-factor authentication, and monitor your financial accounts regularly. -
Report Scams:
Notify the IRS of any suspicious activity via theirfraud reporting page
.
During the 2025 tax season, taxpayers may outsmart scammers and safeguard their finances by remaining vigilant and knowledgeable.