5 Ways to Protect Yourself From Tax Scams
Tax scams peak during filing season. Learn how to spot fake IRS contacts and protect your personal information.
Quick Summary
The IRS never calls to demand immediate payment or threaten arrest. Report suspicious contacts to the Treasury Inspector General.
Tax-related scams increase sharply during filing season. Criminals impersonate the IRS through phone calls, emails, text messages, and even social media to steal your personal information or money.
How to Spot a Scam
The IRS will never:
- Call to demand immediate payment using gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency
- Threaten arrest, deportation, or license revocation over unpaid taxes
- Email or text you asking for personal or financial information
- Contact you via social media to discuss your tax account
The IRS initiates most contact through official mail delivered by the U.S. Postal Service.
5 Protection Steps
- Never share your SSN or tax info in response to unsolicited calls, texts, or emails
- Use strong, unique passwords for your tax filing accounts and enable two-factor authentication when available
- File early to reduce the window for someone to file a fraudulent return using your SSN
- Check your IRS account at IRS.gov to monitor your tax records for unauthorized activity
- Report scams to the Treasury Inspector General at 1-800-366-4484 or at TIGTA.gov
Identity Protection PIN
You can request an Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN) from the IRS. This six-digit number prevents someone else from filing a return using your Social Security number. Apply at IRS.gov/IPPIN.
File your return securely at MyFreeTaxReturn.com. Your data is encrypted and protected from the moment you enter it — and we never sell or share it with advertisers.
Source: IRS Publication 4524