Tax Season Scams Are Surging – Here’s How to Outsmart Fraudsters

As tax season heats up, so do the scams. Criminals are getting craftier, using everything from fake IRS calls to phishing emails to steal your money and personal data. Here’s how to stay one step ahead.

Why Tax Scams Skyrocket This Time of Year

Tax season is a goldmine for fraudsters because:

• Millions file taxes, creating a flood of sensitive data in transit
• People are anxious about refunds or payments, making them vulnerable
• Complex tax rules provide perfect cover for convincing lies

The 5 Most Dangerous Tax Scams Right Now

1. The "Ghost Preparer" Scam – Fake tax pros promise huge refunds, steal your info, and vanish
2. IRS Impersonation Calls – Threats about "arrest warrants" for unpaid taxes demand gift card payments
3. Phishing Emails – Official-looking messages with malware-infected "tax forms"
4. Fake Tax Software – Mimics legitimate programs to harvest login credentials
5. Social Media Scams – Fraudsters pose as tax help in Facebook groups and forums

Armor Up: Essential Protection Strategies

For Your Identity:

• File early before scammers can file a fraudulent return in your name
• Get an IRS Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN) – it's free

For Your Communications:

• The IRS never initiates contact by phone, email, or social media about taxes owed
• Verify any "IRS" letters by calling the official IRS number (not one in the letter)

For Your Refund:

• Set up direct deposit – paper checks are easier to intercept
• Track your refund status only through the official IRS "Where's My Refund?" tool

Red Flags That Should Make You Run

• Anyone demanding payment via gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers
• "Tax preparers" who base fees on a percentage of your refund
• Emails with urgent subject lines like "Immediate action required on your tax account"

What to Do If You've Been Scammed

Act fast:

1. Report to the IRS at phishing@irs.gov
2. Place a fraud alert with credit bureaus
3. File an FTC complaint at IdentityTheft.gov

What Do You Think?

• Should the IRS be held liable when scammers successfully impersonate them?
• Is it time for a complete overhaul of how we file taxes to reduce fraud?
• Would you trust AI-powered tax software over human preparers to avoid scams?
• Are banks doing enough to flag suspicious tax-related transactions?
• Should tax-related phone spoofing carry harsher penalties than other fraud?