Stay Safe This Tax Season: Top Strategies Against Fake IRS Scams

Person reading a scam message on a smartphone.

As tax filing season intensifies, sophisticated scammers are targeting Americans with fake IRS communications that could drain bank accounts and steal identities if taxpayers aren’t vigilant.

Key Takeaways

The IRS never initiates contact through texts, emails, or phone calls—they communicate through official mailed letters.
Scammers are using AI and voice-cloning technology to impersonate trusted contacts and government officials.
“Ghost” tax preparers who refuse to sign returns are a major red flag for potential fraud.
Creating an IRS identity protection PIN and filing taxes early are effective protective measures.
Suspicious communications should be reported to [email protected] and the BBB Scam Tracker.

Deceptive Communications on the Rise

The 2025 tax season has brought an alarming surge in sophisticated scams targeting hardworking Americans. Criminals are sending unsolicited texts claiming to be from the IRS about $1,400 stimulus payments, directing recipients to fake websites designed to steal personal and financial information. These scammers use official-looking IRS logos and urgent language to create a false sense of legitimacy, pressuring taxpayers into hasty decisions that compromise their security.

The IRS has emphasized that it never initiates contact with taxpayers through text messages, emails, or phone calls about stimulus payments or refunds. Any communication suggesting otherwise should immediately raise suspicion. The agency has recently released its “Dirty Dozen” list of tax scams for 2025, highlighting dangerous schemes that threaten taxpayers’ financial well-being year-round, not just during tax filing season.

AI-Powered Deception Tactics

Scammers have significantly advanced their methods by incorporating artificial intelligence and voice-cloning technology. These sophisticated tools allow criminals to mimic the voices of trusted family members, friends, or government officials with disturbing accuracy. When receiving unexpected calls from supposedly familiar voices requesting sensitive information or immediate financial action, taxpayers should remain skeptical and verify the caller’s identity through independent means.

Security experts recommend asking unexpected callers questions only the real person would know, even if the voice sounds authentic. Michael Scheumack, chief innovation officer at IdentityIQ, states, “It’s harder to have AI react to natural questions. The answers generally have to be pre-programmed. So it’s best to ask something like: ‘What do you need this for?’ or even ‘How was your golf game last Sunday?'” When in doubt, hang up and call back using a known, verified number, not one provided during the suspicious call.

Warning Signs and Red Flags

Taxpayers should remain vigilant about several common scam tactics, including “ghost” tax preparers who refuse to sign the returns they prepare—a practice that violates tax law. These preparers often disappear after filing fraudulent returns that could leave taxpayers liable for serious penalties. Similarly, scammers frequently promote non-existent tax credits or deductions on social media, promising unrealistically large refunds that ultimately trigger IRS audits.

Fake charity scams also proliferate during tax season, with criminals exploiting public generosity during crises to collect donations. Before donating, verify the charity’s legitimacy through the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search tool. Additionally, scammers now pose as helpers for setting up IRS Individual Online Accounts, attempting to gain access to taxpayers’ personal information under the guise of assistance.

Protecting Yourself from Tax Scams

Taking proactive steps remains the best defense against tax-related fraud. File your return early to prevent identity thieves from filing in your name. Create an IRS identity protection PIN, which provides an additional layer of security by requiring this unique six-digit number to file your return. Consider freezing your credit with all three major credit bureaus if you’re particularly concerned about identity theft.

If you receive suspicious communications claiming to be from the IRS, do not click on any links or provide any information. Instead, delete the message or report it as junk/phishing. Forward suspicious texts to [email protected] and report fraud attempts to the BBB Scam Tracker. Complete guidance on avoiding tax scams and verifying legitimate IRS communications is available on the official IRS website at IRS.gov.