Tax season is prime time for scammers looking to exploit unsuspecting taxpayers. Fraudsters use fear, urgency, and sophisticated tricks to steal your personal information, tax refunds, and even your identity. Falling victim to these scams can result in financial loss, legal trouble, or worse.
Stay ahead of the game by recognizing these five IRS tax scams that could cost you thousands.
1. Fake IRS Phone Calls
One of the most common scams involves fraudsters impersonating IRS agents over the phone. They often use aggressive tactics, such as threatening arrest, lawsuits, or deportation if you don’t pay an alleged tax debt immediately.
Warning signs:
- Calls demanding immediate payment via gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency.
- Threats of law enforcement action if payment isn’t made instantly.
- Caller ID spoofing that makes the call appear as if it’s from the IRS.
How to stay safe: The IRS never initiates contact via phone calls. If you receive a suspicious call, hang up immediately and report it to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) at 1-800-366-4484.
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2. Phishing Emails Posing as the IRS
