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Bipartisan leaders of the Congressional Joint Economic Committee are sounding the alarm about tax season Scams that fraudsters may use to target unsuspecting taxpayers as filing season ends.
Taxpayers have until Wednesday, April 15 to file their 2025 tax return or request an extension, and scammers may take advantage of the approaching deadline to take advantage of taxpayers.
Scammers have hit roughly one in four Americans with tax season scams, which have become increasingly common, especially amid tax increases. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and software that enables deepfakes.
JEC’s scam alert offers several tips for taxpayers to keep in mind when encountering a potential scam. It warns taxpayers to be wary of IRS fraud scams, which may be initiated via phone call or email or text using a fake caller ID or address claiming to be the IRS.
IRS data shows the average tax refund increased nearly 11% from a year ago
Scammers are looking to exploit taxpayers during filing season. (iStock)
Taxpayers should be aware that ir Almost always initiates outreach by mail and will never reach out on social media. And it only sends messages or emails in limited circumstances and does not do so to demand immediate payment.
If they receive any suspicious message, taxpayers should avoid scanning any QR code or clicking on the link as they may containing malware Or refer them to a website designed to steal their information.
Outreach claiming to be from the IRS that is urgent or threatening requests identifying information demands payment Taxpayers through non-traditional methods should be a red flag.
IRS refund tracker explained: What you need to know before this year’s tax filing deadline
If taxpayers are concerned about what they are being asked to provide, they should verify communications purporting to be from the IRS. (Michael Bocchieri/Getty Images)
When the IRS contacts, he or she will not threaten to call. law enforcementAsk the taxpayer for a driver’s license or business license; Request instant payment via gift card, wire transfer or crypto; Or direct the taxpayer to a non-IRS website.
Taxpayers can verify communications from the IRS directly by calling the IRS help line at 800-829-1040 or contacting the agency by creating an online IRS account to access the latest information on tax records.
If they are concerned about the website they are on, they should confirm that it is actually the IRS website and not a sham website, which can be detected through suspicious signs such as subtle misspellings or extra letters or words in the website’s URL.
IRS warns Americans to beware of dangerous new scams this tax season
The IRS generally initiates contact by mail and will not call or text demanding payment or personal information. (Jordan Vonderhaar/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Taxpayers should also be aware of third-party tax preparer scams when dealing with tax services or other non-IRS tax entities.
Taxpayers should be wary of tax preparers who demand high upfront fees or guarantee large refunds. They should also research unfamiliar companies through sites like the Better Business Bureau or verify the necessary preparers professionally. Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN) on the IRS website and avoid preparers who refuse to provide your PTIN.
Fraudsters may also try to impersonate reputable tax preparation companies, so taxpayers should verify unexpected communications by calling the number on the company’s official website.
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Scam alert was issued by joint economic committeeThat includes leaders of both the House and Senate on both sides of the partisan aisle.
The panel is led by its Chairman, Rep. David Schweikert, R-Ariz.; Ranking Members are Senators Maggie Hassan, D-N.H.; Vice Chairman Senator Eric Schmidt, R-Mo. And senior House Democrat Don Beyer of Virginia issued a warning to taxpayers on Thursday.
