Federal agencies warn of impersonation schemes, phishing and payment fraud during peak filing season
LOS ANGELES — Federal regulators are warning taxpayers to remain vigilant as scam activity accelerates during the filing season, with impersonation calls, phishing messages and fraudulent payment demands continuing to target individuals expecting refunds or resolving tax obligations.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC), along with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), has issued updated consumer guidance outlining how these schemes operate and how to avoid them.
Impersonation and spoofed calls
Authorities say scammers frequently pose as IRS officials through phone calls, text messages or emails, sometimes manipulating caller ID systems to make the contact appear legitimate. Consumers are advised not to disclose sensitive information — including Social Security numbers, PINs, passwords or banking details — in response to unsolicited outreach.
The FTC advises recipients of such calls to hang up and independently verify any claim using official contact information listed on IRS.gov. Taxpayers should not rely on phone numbers or links provided by the caller.
How the IRS makes contact
The IRS states that it generally initiates contact with taxpayers by mail, particularly for issues involving unpaid taxes or account verification. While the agency may call in certain cases, it does not demand immediate payment over the phone or initiate contact through social media channels.
Officials emphasize that emails and text messages from the IRS are typically sent only with taxpayer consent, and unexpected links or attachments should not be opened.
Common red flags
Federal agencies highlight several warning signs associated with tax scams: promises of unusually large refunds; pressure to act immediately; threats of arrest, deportation or legal action; and demands for payment using gift cards, wire transfers, prepaid debit cards or cryptocurrency.
The IRS underscores that such payment methods are not used for legitimate tax collection.
The agency’s annual “Dirty Dozen” advisory continues to flag phishing, misleading tax advice circulating online, identity theft involving IRS accounts, and schemes involving fraudulent tax preparers.
What to do if targeted
Consumers who believe they have been targeted or victimized are urged to act quickly. Financial institutions should be contacted immediately if funds have been transferred. Suspected scams can be reported to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov, while phishing messages can be forwarded to the IRS.
Individuals concerned about identity theft may consult the IRS Identity Theft Central portal and consider enrolling in an Identity Protection PIN program, which helps prevent fraudulent tax filings.
Complaints involving robocalls or scam texts may also be filed with the FCC through its consumer complaint system.
Key reminder
Officials stress a consistent principle: government agencies do not demand urgent payment through unconventional means or threaten immediate arrest over the phone. Any communication that pressures immediate action or requests sensitive financial data should be treated with caution and independently verified through official government channels.
