Protect Yourself This Tax Season: Beware of Scams and Fraud

The Internal Revenue Service has issued a renewed alert regarding e-mail and phone scams, following a staggering 400% increase in phishing and malware incidents this tax season. These fraudulent communications are crafted to look like official correspondence from the IRS, state tax agencies, or legitimate tax software providers. Scammers may request sensitive information, including details about refunds, filing status, personal information, transcripts, or PIN verification.

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These schemes have evolved to include text messages and are reported nationwide. IRS Commissioner John Koskinen emphasizes:

"This dramatic rise in scams comes at the busiest time of tax season. Watch out for fraudsters sending official-looking emails and messages to confuse taxpayers while they work on their returns. Do not click on suspicious emails."

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Phone Scams Are Escalating
In addition to emails, criminals are making aggressive phone calls, impersonating IRS agents. Recent scams involve callers claiming they need to verify your tax return information. Their goal is to obtain personal information, including Social Security numbers, bank accounts, or credit card details.

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Commissioner Koskinen warns:

"These schemes continually evolve to catch taxpayers off guard. The IRS will never call unexpectedly to verify your personal tax information or demand immediate payment through threats."

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Stronger Protections Through Partnership
Since 2015, the IRS, state agencies, and the tax industry have worked together to enhance safeguards protecting federal and state tax accounts from identity theft. Many of these measures operate behind the scenes, verifying taxpayer identity and the validity of returns. New password standards and enhanced information-sharing are among the steps implemented to defend against fraud.

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Thanks to the IRS Criminal Investigation division, nearly 2,000 identity thieves have been convicted, with 1,700 ongoing investigations. This demonstrates the effectiveness of a coordinated, proactive approach to combat cybercriminals.

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Your Role in Security
We ask you to join this effort. Stay vigilant and protect your personal, tax, and financial data online and at home. Be cautious of requests for Social Security numbers, account information, or passwords. Cybercriminals can use stolen data in multiple ways, including filing fraudulent tax returns. Awareness and caution are your first line of defense.