Tax Scams — Protect Yourself

Stay vigilant: tax scammers may impersonate the IRS to steal identities, money, or file fraudulent tax returns. The IRS will never initiate contact by phone, text, email, or social media to request personal or financial information. They always begin with an official letter. All of our individual tax returns include Protection Plus and an annual Peace of Mind Report. Upload any notice you receive to our portal and notify our team so we can support you.

Protecting Your Information

Take these steps to avoid becoming a victim of scams:

  • Use 2-factor Authentication or Multi-factor Authentication on all online logins.

  • Secure and shred sensitive documents and review credit reports annually.

  • Use firewalls and antivirus software on your devices.

  • Trust your intuition and never click strange links or provide personal information unless you initiate the contact.

IRS Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN)

An IP PIN is a six-digit number that helps prevent someone else from filing a tax return in your name. The IRS issues IP PINs to eligible taxpayers, and you can request one online if you’re a confirmed victim of identity theft or want added protection. Unless directed by our office or an IRS official, do not request a PIN during tax season until your return has been filed and you have received your refund.

How to Obtain an IP PIN:

  1. Visit the IRS’s Get an IP PIN page at IRS.gov.

  2. Verify your identity through IRS Secure Access.

  3. Receive your IP PIN, which you’ll use when filing your tax return.

Common Tax Scams

1. IRS-Impersonation Calls

  • Scammers pretend to be IRS agents, demanding payment via prepaid cards or threatening arrest if you don’t comply.

  • The IRS will never demand immediate payment or ask for payment info over the phone.

What to Do:

  • Hang up immediately if you receive a suspicious call.

  • If you think you owe taxes, contact the IRS directly at 1-800-829-1040.

  • Report scams to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration at 1-800-366-4484 or www.tigta.gov and to the Federal Trade Commission via www.ftc.gov ("IRS Telephone Scam" in comments).

2. Text Message Scams

  • Scammers send texts with fake IRS links, often about “stimulus payments” or other urgent topics.

What to Do:

  • Do not click links in unsolicited texts.

  • Forward a screenshot of the message to phishing@irs.gov.

3. Phishing Emails

  • Fake IRS emails often contain links to sites that ask for personal details.

What to Do:

  • Do not reply, open attachments, or click links.

  • Forward the email to phishing@irs.gov and delete it.

4. Other Scams

  • Fake Charities: Verify a charity’s status on IRS.gov before donating.

  • OIC Mills: Misleading ads for tax debt relief often charge high fees for services you can handle with the IRS directly.