Be Ready for Scams this Tax Season
Each year, thousands of taxpayers are tricked into revealing their personal information online and lose millions of dollars. A recent phishing attempt targeted Michigan business taxpayer W-2 forms.
The IRS compiles annually its “Dirty Dozen,” a list of common scams that taxpayers may encounter at any time of year, but peak during filing season. Phishing schemes are just one of the many types of scams the IRS warns against. Some of the types of tax scams to be on the lookout for include:
- Pop-up tax preparer fraud
- Social Security identity theft
- Aggressive phone calls from the “IRS”
- Bogus IRS agent visits
- Unexpected refund fraud
- Fake charities
- Targeting employees for W-2 and personal information
- Tax transcript documents containing malware
Follow the IRS Newsroom for information about scams that are circulating and to learn more about how the IRS initiates contact.The IRS does not initiate contact with taxpayers by email, text message 100cs or social media channels to request personal or financial information. Please be wary of individuals who contact you, claiming to be IRS agents or collection agents working for the IRS.
Taxpayers who have received a call or an email from a scammer should report the case to the IRS at www.irs.gov or call 800-366-4484.
Additional Resources
10 Practices to Protect Against Cyberattacks and Phishing Scams
File Early to Avoid Identity Theft
Security Awareness Training – Educate Your Employees (Yeo & Yeo Technology)
How to Know It’s Really the IRS Calling or Knocking on Your Door (IRS Resource)
IRS Warns of Scam — Falsely Filed Returns with Refunds Deposited into Taxpayer’s Account
Treasury Warns of Collections Scam
