Tax Season Scams: Fake IRS Texts, Refund Emails and Threatening Calls

Every tax season brings a wave of scams pretending to be the IRS or a state revenue department. Some promise a refund if you’ll just “verify your identity.” Others threaten arrest if you don’t pay a debt today.

How the IRS really contacts you

• The IRS generally makes first contact by mail.
• It does not start contact by text message, email or social media to request personal or financial information.
• It will not threaten to have you arrested or deported for not paying immediately.
• It will not demand payment by gift card, wire transfer or cryptocurrency.

Common tax scams

• Refund texts and emails with a link to “verify” or “claim” a refund — the link steals your information.
• Threatening phone calls about back taxes, often with a fake badge number and caller ID that looks official.
• Fake tax preparers who promise huge refunds, charge a percentage of your refund or won’t sign the return.
• Business W-2 requests: an email that appears to come from the owner asking payroll to send all employee W-2 forms. Always verify in person.
• Fake tax credits promoted on social media that encourage you to file for credits you don’t qualify for.

Protect yourself

• Check your tax account and refund status directly at IRS.gov or with your tax preparer.
• Get a free Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN) from the IRS. It’s a six-digit number that prevents someone else from filing a return using your Social Security number.
• File early — scammers can’t file in your name once your return has been accepted.
• Don’t click links or call numbers in unexpected tax messages.

For businesses, protect payroll and W-2 data with email security and staff awareness — part of our managed cybersecurity. Questions? Call us at 620-960-8711.