Major IRS Scams You Should Be Aware Of

Tax season is a stressful time of year for many people. Scammers prey on those negative emotions, using an array of malicious methods to trick their targets into giving up sensitive personal information or even sending them money. This guide looks at some of the most common IRS scams you need to be aware of, plus advice on how to avoid them.

6 Common IRS Scams to Watch Out For

IRS scams can take many forms. Here are six common examples taxpayers should all be aware of.

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Refund Recalculation Scams

Scammers often entice their victims with claims that sound too good to be true, like messages about big tax refunds or recalculated rebates, just waiting to be paid out to you. The catch, however, is that you usually need to click a link and enter sensitive information to “claim” these refunds. In reality, if you click those links, you’ll be sent to scam sites where fraudsters can steal your information.

“Account on Hold” Scams

Another common scam involves fraudsters sending you texts or emails claiming that your tax account has some sort of problem or is “on hold” until you log in and fix an issue. Typically, these messages will also contain links, inviting you to click them and log in. Again, these links are fraudulent. They’ll send you to fake sites designed to steal your data, like your Social Security number or IRS password.

Fake Phone Calls

IRS scams don’t just occur over text and email. Fraudsters may also call their victims, posing as IRS agents or even law enforcement officers. Some have even started using AI voice cloning tools to sound even more authentic, using threatening or coercive language to pressure their victims into making payments or sharing personal details.

Tax Preparer Scams

Some scammers pretend to be tax specialists, offering to help you set up your IRS account, manage your taxes, or aid in filing your returns. While there are legitimate professionals out there that offer these kinds of services, scammers often have no expertise or real interest in helping you; they simply want to get your details or gain access to your IRS account to commit identity theft.

The “Bureau of Tax Enforcement”

Many IRS scam victims have reported receiving messages from an organization called the “Bureau of Tax Enforcement.” This organization claims to be a collection agency, collecting debts often via unusual means, like gift card or cryptocurrency payments, whose owners end up to be in countries like Ghana or the Philippines. However, the Bureau of Tax Enforcement is not an official agency and only exists as a front for fraudulent activities.

Natural Disaster Scams

IRS scammers also sometimes target people living in areas that have suffered natural disasters. Pretending to be from charitable organizations, they claim to offer assistance with “casualty loss deductions,” which could help to lower the victim’s tax returns. Again, like many of the other IRS scams already mentioned, this is all a false cover story so that the scammer can extract personal data from their victim.

How to Stay Safe and Avoid IRS Scams

The IRS estimates that several billion dollars are stolen by tax scammers every year, so it’s vital to be aware of these scams and know how to avoid them. The following tips should help:

Ignore unsolicited messages: This is the golden rule when it comes to tax scams. The IRS will not email, call, or text you to ask for any personal information, so if you receive any kind of unsolicited message from anyone claiming to represent the IRS, do not reply.
Always use IRS.gov: IRS.gov is the official website of the IRS and the only site you should use when contacting or interacting with this service in any way. Avoid clicking random links or interacting with other sites, even if they look legitimate.
Monitor your accounts: Keep an eye on your bank accounts and check your credit reports each year to look for any signs of suspicious activity, like loans or credit applications you don’t recognize.

In addition, the more you know about scams and how they work, the easier it should be for you to avoid them. So, stay tuned to Scam Detector to find out about more tax scam methods as they emerge.

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