IRS Scams Are Evolving: How to Stay One Step Ahead

Tax season brings an increase in scams, but they can happen at any time of the year. Scammers use emails, texts, phone calls, and social media to try to steal your personal information or money. By impersonating the IRS or offering misleading tax advice, these fraudsters are becoming more sophisticated.

Here are five common scams to watch for so you can stay one step ahead of fraudsters.

1. IRS impersonation by email and text
Emails, direct messages, and texts that appear to be from the IRS direct taxpayers to a fake IRS website and ask them to "verify" their accounts, enter personal information, or claim refunds.

2. AI-enabled IRS impersonation by phone
Calls use computer-generated tactics and a spoofed caller ID to appear as legitimate calls from the IRS claiming that you owe money or that you're entitled to a large refund.

3. Fake charities
Groups pose as legitimate charitable organizations to solicit donations from unsuspecting donors.

4. Misleading tax advice on social media
Tax advice on social media encourages taxpayers to file returns with false information or claim credits they don't qualify for.

5. Identity theft involving IRS Online Account access
Scammers use stolen personal information to gain unauthorized access to a taxpayer's IRS Online Account or pose as a third-party offering assistance for IRS Online Account set up in order to collect sensitive information.

If you believe you are being targeted by a scam, do not respond or click any links, and report it directly to the IRS or the Federal Trade Commission.

For more security tips, visit Horizon Security Center.