Beware of Summertime Scams: IRS Warns Taxpayers of Surging Fraud

The IRS has recently issued a warning to taxpayers, cautioning them to be vigilant about scams promising tax refunds or claiming to "fix" tax-related issues. The IRS emphasizes that it never initiates contact with taxpayers through email, text, or social media regarding tax refunds or bills. They caution against clicking on links from questionable sources and encourage individuals to remain vigilant.

These scams often focus on misleading promises regarding a third round of economic impact payments. The IRS has been inundated with complaints, receiving hundreds daily and thousands since the July 4th holiday, directed to their This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. email account.

The economic impact payment scam involves an embedded URL that redirects individuals to a phishing website aimed at stealing their personal information. However, the IRS has clarified that the third round of economic impact payments occurred over two years ago, making these claims fraudulent. This scam, which first surfaced in 2021, has evolved to deceive unsuspecting individuals.

The IRS is warning about several other tax-related scams that have emerged recently:
Fraudulent claims for Employee Retention Credit (ERC) have surged significantly. The IRS cautions business owners against promoters who offer to determine eligibility quickly without requesting necessary details and those who charge upfront fees or a percentage of the claimed ERC. The IRS advises eligible employers to work with trusted tax professionals for proper ERC claims and provides further guidance at irs.gov/erc .

Another scam involves identity thieves capitalizing on people's eagerness to claim any overlooked tax refunds. They use email and text messages, often filled with misspellings, to suggest that recipients have missed out on a tax refund and need to click a link for assistance.

Some text scams offer help to address tax-related problems. Usually, identity thieves send text messages with official-sounding names, indicating an issue with the recipient's tax return. They offer to "fix" the problem if the recipient clicks a link in the message. These messages typically contain multiple red flags, including misspellings and factual inaccuracies.
Those who encounter such scams via email should promptly forward the email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Suppose someone becomes a victim by clicking on malicious links and providing personal information. In that case, they should report the email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and file a complaint with the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration. Additionally, victims can find guidance on identity theft issues at www.identitytheft.gov and www.irs.gov/identity-theft-central.
Stay vigilant and protect yourself from these summer scams to ensure financial security during tax season and beyond. Remember, the IRS never contacts taxpayers via email, text, or social media regarding tax matters.