IRS and Tax Scams

Every year, cybercriminals take advantage of taxpayers like you who are filing taxes or patiently waiting for their tax return. During each tax season, the IRS notices increased phishing attempts to steal your money or tax data, so you must be highly alert.

How It Happens: Tax Scams and Malicious Activity

Cybercriminals have several tax-related tricks up their sleeves when it comes to stealing your money and sensitive information. Here are a few common examples of tax scams:

• Scammers send emails posing as tax service organizations by impersonating, or spoofing, actual tax service emails and using stolen logos. If you respond to the email with your personal data or tax information, they can pocket your hard-earned money.
• Like the scam above, cybercriminals send look-alike emails containing hyperlinks that lead to malicious websites or PDF attachments that can download malware or viruses to your computer.
• Tax scams aren’t limited to emails! Be on the lookout for scammers calling, posing as IRS representatives, and claiming you owe money that must be paid immediately. These callers typically threaten you with arrests, deportations, or suspension of business or driver’s licenses if you don’t pay them.

These are only a few examples, so be aware that these scam artists are constantly coming up with new ways to fool you.

How Do I Stay Safe?

Always remember the following during tax season and all year long:

• You will always receive a bill in the mail before any phone call from the IRS regarding unpaid taxes.
• A request for your credit or debit card numbers over the phone is a red flag for a scam. Legitimate IRS agents will not ask for payment this way.
• The IRS does not use high-pressure tactics, such as threatening immediate arrest or involving local law enforcement for non-payment.
• Taxpayers always have the right to question or appeal an amount owed before the IRS demands any payment.
• Official IRS correspondence about personal tax matters, such as bills or refunds, will never be initiated through email, text messages, or social media.

You should always avoid sending sensitive information like passwords, credit card numbers, or your Social Security number via email, as it is not secure and can be easily intercepted.