As we approach tax season, it is crucial to recognize tax scams used to obtain money, personal and financial information from you. In 2024, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released a list of common scams known as the “Dirty Dozen”, highlighting schemes taxpayers should watch out for during tax season. Below are a few ways IRS impersonators may attempt to scam you out of valuable information or your refund.
- Phishing is a scam where fraudsters send emails claiming to be from the IRS to scam you. They use tricks to deceive victims into trusting the message. These emails contain links disguised as fake tax refunds or threats of legal action for tax fraud. Once clicked, it can download viruses onto your device and obtain information on you. The link may also direct you to websites where you create an account, unknowingly providing scammers with your name, addresses, social security numbers and more.
- Smishing is like phishing where scammers target you via text or SMS messages. These messages are often alarming stating “Your account has been put on hold, click the link to resolve” or “Unusual Activity Report” followed by a fake link to supposedly restore the account. The links in these messages will direct you to a website where you provide personal information to resolve your account hold, however, you are actually providing scammers with the necessary information to steal your identity.
The key takeaway: never click on unsolicited emails or texts that appear to be from the IRS, as they could be fraudulent.
Even if the messages seem legitimate, the IRS recommends setting up two-factor or multi-factor authentication with your email provider to reduce the risk of email compromise. Visit the IRS’ website here to learn more about the Dirty Dozen and how to protect your personal information during tax season.
These schemes are not limited to tax season and the IRS. Scammers may contact you attempting to steal your information. Stay vigilant, and if you have any doubts, avoid opening links.
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