With Tax Day just around the corner, scammers are zeroing in on millions of Americans as they track refunds and rush to meet a deadline.
Federal officials have already sounded the alarm. The IRS recently released its annual list of tax scams, warning that identity theft, impersonation schemes and fraudulent tax preparers tend to spike during filing season, when large volumes of personal and financial data are in motion.
Scammers are also coming up with more sophisticated methods, using new tools — including AI — to make their schemes more convincing and harder to detect. But while their tactics may evolve, the playbook remains familiar: impersonate a trusted authority, promise a bigger refund or quietly insert themselves into the filing process.
This week, we’re focusing on three of the most common scams to watch for before Tax Day on April 15.
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- Phantom Tax Filers: Not all tax scams start with a phishing email or phone call. Some begin with a friendly face offering to help. So-called “ghost preparers” are scammers who offer to complete tax returns for a fee but refuse to sign them or provide a valid Preparer Tax Identification Number — a major red flag, according to the IRS. These preparers may inflate refunds by fabricating income, credits or deductions, making their services seem more appealing upfront. But when the IRS flags the return, it’s the taxpayer who is legally responsible for any errors or fraud. As a rule of thumb, avoid anyone who won’t sign your return, asks you to sign a blank form or bases their preparation fee on the size of your refund.
- Uncle Scam Knocking: IRS impersonation scams remain one of the most persistent threats during tax season. Fraudsters send emails, texts or even AI-generated voice calls that appear to come from the agency, often claiming there’s an issue with your return or that you owe back taxes. The goal is to pressure victims into sharing personal information or making immediate payments through unconventional methods, like gift cards or wire transfers. The real IRS, however, typically initiates contact by mail and does not demand urgent payment or threaten arrest over the phone. Any unexpected message claiming to be from the agency should be treated with caution and verified independently.
- Refund Hijackers: Tax refund identity theft is another major concern this time of year. In these schemes, criminals use stolen personal information obtained through phishing or data breaches to file fraudulent tax returns and claim refunds before the real taxpayer has a chance to submit theirs. Because the IRS processes returns on a first-come, first-served basis, victims may only discover the fraud after their legitimate filing is rejected or delayed. Officials recommend filing your taxes as early as possible to prevent this from happening, monitoring your financial accounts and using tools like the IRS Identity Protection PIN to reduce the risk of unauthorized filings.
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The most common types of scam you should know
Scammers are constantly upping their game, coming up with new and exciting ways (for them) of fooling their targets. AI-powered scams are one example of this; the technology is being used to reach a larger number of people with increasingly more convincing schemes.
But some tricks never run out of style. Most scams fall into a handful of familiar patterns, and many long-standing schemes are still a threat today. They’ve just evolved to better fit today’s digital landscape.
- Imposter scams: Scammers often pose as trusted figures such as government agencies, banks, employers and even friends or family to pressure victims into sending money or sharing personal information.
- Phishing and spoofing scams: These scams use emails, texts or phone calls that look like they’re from legitimate organizations. The goal is to trick you into clicking a malicious link, downloading malware or handing over sensitive information.
- Online shopping scams: Fraudsters can create fake online stores or listings with hard-to-find items at unusually low prices. After you pay for an article, what you end up getting might be counterfeit — or it may never arrive in the first place.
- Investment scams: This type of scam often arrives with promises of high returns from crypto, forex or other “exclusive” opportunities. Many involve long-term grooming tactics in which victims are encouraged to invest more over time before losing everything.
- Romance scams: Some scammers try to get into your pocket through the heart. They build a relationship with you on dating apps or social media, then convince you to give up money and assets by fabricating emergencies or investment opportunities.
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What to do if you’re the target — or victim — of a scam
No one is immune to scams or fraud, but a few consistent habits can reduce their danger and the damage they cause.
For starters, be skeptical of unsolicited messages, especially those creating fear or urgency. This might look like an email from your bank threatening to close an account, a text from an online marketplace saying you’ll lose a discount or a call from the IRS claiming they’ll report you to the authorities unless you “act now.”
Scammers love to use this sort of language because it puts you on the spot, which they expect will move you to action.
Always verify any requests from an organization by cross-checking with its official phone numbers, email or website. And don’t click any links, download attachments or respond to messages you suspect may be fraudulent. A legitimate organization will not pressure you for instant action or secrecy.
Now, if you’ve already sent financial information or money to someone you suspect is a scammer, you’ll need to take a few steps to protect your data and possibly get your money reimbursed. Contact your bank, credit card issuer or payment platform immediately and attempt to stop or reverse the transactions. Make sure to change any relevant passwords and enable multi-factor authentication to safeguard your accounts, too.
Reporting a scam might also help protect others. You can file a report with the Federal Trade Commission and with local authorities at your nearby police department or sheriff’s office. Identity theft victims should also consider temporarily freezing their credit.
Lastly, review your financial statements and credit reports regularly, keep your software updated and limit how much personal information you share online. Scammers often rely on publicly available details to make their schemes more convincing.
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With Tax Day just around the corner, scammers are zeroing in on millions of Americans as they track refunds and rush to meet a deadline.
Federal officials have already sounded the alarm. The IRS recently released its annual list of tax scams, warning that identity theft, impersonation schemes and fraudulent tax preparers tend to spike during filing season, when large volumes of personal and financial data are in motion.
Scammers are also coming up with more sophisticated methods, using new tools — including AI — to make their schemes more convincing and harder to detect. But while their tactics may evolve, the playbook remains familiar: impersonate a trusted authority, promise a bigger refund or quietly insert themselves into the filing process.
This week, we’re focusing on three of the most common scams to watch for before Tax Day on April 15.
Where People Are Protecting Their Privacy Online Right Now
NordVPN: Hide Your IP and Location Every Time You Surf the Web
Surfshark VPN: Bundle All Your Devices Into One Low-Price Plan
Lifelock by Norton: Identity Theft Protection That Defends Against Scams and More Online Theft Attempts
Phantom Tax Filers: Not all tax scams start with a phishing email or phone call. Some begin with a friendly face offering to help. So-called “ghost preparers” are scammers who offer to complete tax returns for a fee but refuse to sign them or provide a valid Preparer Tax Identification Number — a major red flag, according to the IRS. These preparers may inflate refunds by fabricating income, credits or deductions, making their services seem more appealing upfront. But when the IRS flags the return, it’s the taxpayer who is legally responsible for any errors or fraud. As a rule of thumb, avoid anyone who won’t sign your return, asks you to sign a blank form or bases their preparation fee on the size of your refund.
Uncle Scam Knocking: IRS impersonation scams remain one of the most persistent threats during tax season. Fraudsters send emails, texts or even AI-generated voice calls that appear to come from the agency, often claiming there’s an issue with your return or that you owe back taxes. The goal is to pressure victims into sharing personal information or making immediate payments through unconventional methods, like gift cards or wire transfers. The real IRS, however, typically initiates contact by mail and does not demand urgent payment or threaten arrest over the phone. Any unexpected message claiming to be from the agency should be treated with caution and verified independently.
Refund Hijackers: Tax refund identity theft is another major concern this time of year. In these schemes, criminals use stolen personal information obtained through phishing or data breaches to file fraudulent tax returns and claim refunds before the real taxpayer has a chance to submit theirs. Because the IRS processes returns on a first-come, first-served basis, victims may only discover the fraud after their leg
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