\u201cDirty Dozen\u201d of tax scams<\/a> that target taxpayers. At the top of the list is impersonation of the agency by email, text, and phone. The IRS reported over 600 social media impersonators during fiscal year 2025, and urges people not to \u201cclick links or open attachments from unexpected messages.\u201d<\/p>\nThe IRS also reminds taxpayers it \u201cdoes not leave urgent, threatening prerecorded messages, call to demand immediate payment, or threaten arrest.\u201d <\/p>\n
Scammers often use alarming language and QR codes to send people to fake websites where they ask the taxpayer to \u201cverify\u201d accounts or enter personal information, according to the IRS. Links may also install malware or malicious software, such as ransomware, which could prevent access to files and private information. \u201cAI-enabled IRS impersonation by phone (robocalls, voice mimicry, and spoofed caller ID),” is also increasing, according to the agency. As phone scams evolve, AI provides new computer-generated tactics and spoofed caller identification to look legitimate. <\/p>\n
In this vein, identity theft is one of the most common forms of fraud around tax season, according to Rosario Mendez, an attorney for the bureau of consumer protection at the FTC. Mendez defines this type of theft as the misuse of one\u2019s social security number or other personal information, often to collect a tax refund.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople usually discover this when they go to file their tax returns and discover someone else has already filed,\u201d she said. \u201cFor the records of the IRS, that is, it\u2019s already happened. But it\u2019s not the person \u2014 it\u2019s an identity thief.\u201d<\/p>\n
Eva Velasquez, CEO of the Identity Theft Resource Center, said the ITRC has also tracked an increase in scams and identity theft attempts over the past several years, likely aided by AI-generated messages.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re seeing an uptick in phishing emails, fake texts, and even phone calls,\u201d Velasquez said. \u201cScammers are trying to get you to engage in any manner – talk to them, click the link, share your personal data, or share access to your devices or accounts.\u201d<\/p>\n
The \u201csheer volume and level of sophistication\u201d suggests AI is being leveraged, according to Velasquez. <\/p>\n
\u201c\u2018Deluge\u2019 is the best word I can think of, because it\u2019s relentless,” she said.<\/p>\n
Whenever possible, according to Velasquez, the best practice when receiving any of these messages is, \u201cType, don\u2019t tap.\u201d That is, rather than tapping on any link sent in any kind of message, type in the URL of the official website for the IRS (IRS.gov), or whichever agency is supposedly contacting you.<\/p>\n
\u201cGo to the source. Don\u2019t click any of those links,\u201d she said. \u201cIf you didn\u2019t initiate the contact, don\u2019t engage.\u201d<\/p>\n
According to Kathy Stokes, director of fraud prevention programs for the AARP, younger people more frequently file reports stating they\u2019ve been scammed, but older individuals report losing more money than younger consumers.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s because they have more money to lose,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
If you suspect fraud, or a message seems suspicious, Stokes emphasized the importance of slowing down and talking to someone. When someone receives a notification that sounds strange, scary or urgent, if they stop to talk to a friend or family member or someone they trust, they can typically figure out it\u2019s a scam.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s also going to inoculate the people you share it with from falling for the scam,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
If someone has already used your social security number to file a tax return before you, it’s important to let the IRS know.<\/p>\n
You should also go to IdentityTheft.gov to report the theft, according to Mendez. At the end of that reporting process, the government will give you a personal recovery plan. <\/p>\n
\u201cIf a scammer has used your social security number to file a tax return, it’s possible the same thief could use it to open bank accounts, credit cards, or file for unemployment,\u201d she said. \u201cAnother worthwhile step is to monitor your credit report and freeze credit accounts so they can’t be misused.\u201d <\/p>\n
Alan Butler, executive director of the Electronic Privacy Information Center, echoed this, encouraging victims of scams to seek identity theft monitoring going forward as well. That said, he warns people not to pay high costs for these services, which are sometimes shady themselves, but to thoroughly vet the offerings.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople can be victimized not only once with the theft of their identity, but a second time, because the monitoring services are trying to up-sell them,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
If you’ve been the victim of a scam and you’ve lost money, you may also want to file a report with local police, according to Stokes.<\/p>\n
\u201cEven if you get pushback from local law enforcement, you should insist on the report,\u201d she said. \u201cThere may be a means of restitution for fraud victims down the road, and they would want that as a point of proof of what happened.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u2014<\/p>\n
The Associated Press receives support from the Charles Schwab Foundation for educational and explanatory reporting to improve financial literacy. The independent foundation is separate from Charles Schwab and Co. Inc. The AP is solely responsible for its journalism.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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