During tax season, cybercriminals significantly increase phishing attacks. These scams often appear as fake emails, text messages, or phone calls impersonating the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) or state tax agencies. Messages may claim your refund has been approved or threaten urgent action unless you provide personal or financial information.

The goal: To steal Social Security numbers and banking details, hijack tax refunds, and commit identity theft.

How to Protect Yourself

• Do not click links or open attachments in unexpected tax-related messages.
• Never share personal or financial information in response to unsolicited contacts.
• Remember: The IRS does not initiate contact with taxpayers by email, text message, or social media.
• Know that legitimate federal tax websites end in “.gov.” Be cautious of links ending in “.com,” “.net,” or “.org” that claim to represent the IRS.

Stay Alert

Tax-related identity theft has increased by more than 45% over the past five years. Criminals are actively seeking personal information to exploit.

 Don’t let scammers cash in on your refund.

Additional Tips for a Safer Tax Season

• Act quickly if you suspect someone has filed a fraudulent return in your name.
• Enroll in an Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN) for an added layer of security—similar to two-factor authentication—and use it when filing your taxes.
• Never respond to suspicious emails, phone calls, or text messages requesting personal information.
• Be cautious of tax preparers who ask you to sign an incomplete return or refuse to let you review it thoroughly.

This tax season, stay cautious, and protect your personal information.