One of the biggest red flags this year is a new text scam that claims you’re eligible for a $1,400 Economic Impact Payment. The message looks convincing, often containing just enough truth to seem legitimate. It references a real IRS program: the Recovery Rebate Credit, which helps taxpayers who missed out on pandemic-era stimulus payments. But here’s the catch — if you qualify, the IRS will send you a payment automatically. You don’t need to click a link or provide personal information to claim it. In fact, the IRS will never reach out via text or social media about payments, refunds or tax issues. If you receive a message like this, delete it immediately.

Scammers are also leaning more heavily this year on phishing tactics — emails and texts that impersonate the IRS to trick taxpayers into handing over sensitive data. Cybersecurity firm Guardio reports a 77% surge in IRS-related spam messages this year, with some of the most common scams using scare tactics like:

• “Your tax return has an error. Act now to avoid penalties!”
• “You’re eligible for a $1,500 tax refund. Click here to claim it.”
• “The IRS has flagged your account. Verify your information immediately to avoid legal action.”

These messages often contain malicious links designed to steal Social Security numbers, banking credentials or even full identities. Some appear to come from official sources, using fake IRS forms or logos to look convincing. Watch for signs of fraud: misspellings, grammatical errors, unfamiliar links and any request for personal information. Government websites always end in .gov, not .com or .net.

Phone scams are another longstanding threat. Criminals posing as IRS agents will call and demand immediate payment, often threatening jail time or lawsuits. They may even spoof caller ID to make it look like the call is coming from an official agency. The real IRS will never initiate contact via phone, email or text – it prefers registered mail. If you get a call like this, hang up and report it to the IRS or the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA).

And if tax-related scams weren’t enough, the FBI has warned of a toll payment scam that’s sweeping the country. Victims receive a text claiming they owe money for unpaid road tolls, with a link to pay. This is a smishing attack — phishing via SMS — that’s designed to steal personal information, including driver’s license numbers. The FBI says this scam started in early 2024 and has now been reported in multiple states. If you receive one of these texts, don’t click the link. Instead, verify your toll balance directly with your state’s official tolling agency.

Scammers are also taking advantage of search engine manipulation, known as SEO poisoning. If you Google “where’s my refund” or “how to contact the IRS,” fraudulent websites can appear at the top of search results, posing as official government pages. These fake sites may ask you to enter personal details or download malware disguised as IRS forms. The safest approach? Go directly to IRS.gov rather than clicking on search results.

Even if you feel confident spotting scams, your loved ones might not. We all have that one family member who clicks on every pop-up and chain email. If they receive a suspicious message about taxes, refunds or penalties, encourage them to check with you before taking action.

If you receive a suspicious tax-related message, do not engage. Don’t click links, reply or provide any information. Instead, forward the message to phishing@irs.gov and report it to TIGTA. If you suspect you’ve already fallen for a scam — like entering information on a fraudulent site — act fast. Change your passwords, notify your bank and report the issue to the IRS and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). If necessary, you can also place a fraud alert on your credit file to prevent identity theft.

Tax season is stressful enough without adding scams to the mix. The best defense is awareness. Stay skeptical, trust official sources, and when in doubt, assume it’s a scam. The sooner you recognize the warning signs, the better you can protect yourself — and your tax refund — from falling into the wrong hands.

Leslie Meredith has been writing about technology for more than a decade. As a mom of four, value, usefulness, and online safety take priority. Have a question? Email Leslie at asklesliemeredith@gmail.com.