Why IRS impostors are targeting working Americans and how to stay one step ahead
Tax time is never fun, especially if you’re juggling long hours, miles on the road and paperwork waiting back home. This year, it’s even messier. Changes to tax filing programs — and the end of the free, government-run filing system — have left a lot of people wondering what’s legit and what’s not.
Scammers know that confusion is their best fuel. When people hesitate, they strike.
“Every tax season we see scammers ramp up their activity,” said Lynette Owens, vice president of consumer marketing and education at Trend Micro. “With likely confusion now that the free government-run filing system is discontinued, we’re sure scammers will take advantage.”
That usually means fake IRS emails about refunds, text messages claiming your account has been flagged, or shady “tax help” offers promising faster money. As February rolls on, the pressure to file quickly builds and that rush creates the perfect opening for fraud.
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Why scammers thrive when tax rules feel unclear
Uncertainty is one of the most effective tools scammers have. When taxpayers are unsure how filing rules work or whether a message is legitimate, criminals step in with communications designed to sound official and helpful. The goal is not clarity. It is speed.
“Scammers aim to create a heightened sense of anxiety among the people they are targeting,” Owens said. “When taxpayers don’t feel confident about what’s real, whether it’s new filing options, eligibility rules or program updates, criminals step in with messages that sound official and helpful.”
These imposters often pose as the IRS, a tax prep service or even government support. Once trust is established, the message quickly turns transactional, asking for clicks, personal data or payments.
The most common IRS impersonation scams right now
While the delivery methods change, the core message rarely does. Something is wrong, and it must be fixed immediately.
“The most common tactic we’re seeing is fake refund or account alert messages that claim something is wrong and demand immediate action,” Owens said.
Other scams go a step further. Some direct victims to fake IRS login pages designed to steal credentials.
Others promote fraudulent tax assistance, presenting themselves as government-backed or low-cost help in order to collect personal and financial information. These scams arrive by email, text message, phone calls and fake websites. Many are polished enough to appear legitimate at first glance.
Why phrases like “new rules” and “urgent” issues work
Language plays a central role in tax scams. Phrases such as “new rules” or “urgent account issue” are designed to trigger panic before logic has a chance to catch up. They suggest the recipient has missed something important or risks losing money.
“Those phrases work because they can trigger panic and urgency, and people are more likely to react emotionally than logically,” Owens said. “New rules suggest you may have missed something important, and an urgent account issue creates fear of penalties, delays or losing a refund.”
The safest response is to pause. Do not click links, reply to messages or call phone numbers included in the alert. Instead, go directly to a trusted source like IRS.gov using your own browser.
A real tax scam message that looks legitimate
Many tax scams follow a familiar structure. A common example reads:
“IRS Notice: Your tax refund is on hold due to a filing discrepancy under updated 2026 rules. Verify your identity now to avoid delays.”
At first glance, messages like this may appear credible. They often include official-looking logos, reference numbers and links that resemble real government pages.
“It may include a convincing IRS-style logo, a case number and a link that looks legitimate at a glance,” Owens said. “But the red flags are usually the same.”
The message pressures immediate action, directs users to non-government websites and requests sensitive information such as Social Security numbers, bank details or login credentials.
What happens after someone falls for a tax scam
The damage rarely ends with a single click.
“The most serious consequences are identity theft and financial loss,” Owens said. “Once scammers have personal information, they can file fraudulent tax returns, steal refunds, open credit accounts and access bank funds.”
Victims often spend months working to recover lost money, repair credit damage and restore their identities.
How the IRS really communicates with taxpayers
Despite repeated warnings, many people still believe the IRS might email or text them.
“A legitimate tax service or the IRS won’t reach out unexpectedly by email, text or social media, and they won’t pressure you to act immediately,” Owens said.
Scam messages often share the same warning signs. They sound urgent, include links or attachments, and ask for sensitive information right away. If a message creates panic or demands fast action, that alone is reason to be skeptical. The IRS primarily communicates by official mail. Unexpected digital contact should always raise concern.
What to watch for next as scams evolve
Tax scams continue to grow more sophisticated each year.
“Taxpayers should watch for scams that feel more real than ever,” Owens said. “That includes highly polished phishing emails, refund texts designed for quick mobile clicks, fake tax help ads and cloned websites that mimic real IRS or tax prep portals.”
The biggest mistake people still make is treating an unexpected tax message like an emergency.
“In tax season, speed is the scammer’s advantage,” Owens said. “Taking 30 seconds to double-check the source can prevent months of financial and identity damage.”
What to do if you clicked or responded by mistake
If someone realizes too late that a message was fraudulent, fast action can limit the damage.
“First, stop engaging immediately,” Owens said. “Don’t click links, download attachments or reply.”
Next, report the incident. Forward phishing emails to [email protected] and file a report at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
After that, monitor financial accounts closely, change passwords and consider placing a fraud alert or credit freeze if necessary.
Ways to stay safe during tax season
Scammers count on rushed decisions. The good news is that a few smart habits can dramatically lower your risk.
1) Slow down before responding to tax messages.
Urgency is the scammer’s favorite tool. Messages that demand immediate action aim to short-circuit your judgment.
“Scammers rely on fear, urgency or false promises, especially during tax season,” Owens said. “It’s important to slow down, verify information through official channels and use trusted security tools.”
If a message pressures you to act fast, stop. Take a breath before doing anything else.
2) Verify filing changes through official IRS channels.
Scam messages often reference new rules, updated policies or eligibility changes. That language sounds credible when filing programs shift. Always confirm changes by typing IRS.gov directly into your browser or signing into your trusted tax provider account. Never rely on links or phone numbers included in a message.
3) Protect tax accounts with strong credentials.
Tax portals hold valuable personal and financial data. Weak passwords make them easy targets. Use strong and unique passwords for every tax-related account. A password manager can help generate and store secure credentials without relying on memory.
Next, see if your email has been exposed in past breaches. Our #1 password manager (see Cyberguy.com/Passwords) pick includes a built-in breach scanner that checks whether your email address or passwords have appeared in known leaks. If you discover a match, immediately change any reused passwords and secure those accounts with new, unique credentials.
Check out the best expert-reviewed password managers of 2026 at Cyberguy.com/Passwords.
4) Watch for pressure tactics and refund promises.
Scammers know refunds motivate quick action. Messages claiming your refund is waiting, delayed or at risk often signal fraud. Be cautious of promises like faster refunds, guaranteed results or special access to government-backed assistance. Legitimate services do not operate that way.
5) Avoid links and secure your devices with strong antivirus software.
Clicking a single link can expose login credentials or install malware. Do not click on links in unexpected tax messages. Also, use strong antivirus software to help block malicious sites and detect threats before damage occurs.
The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing your private information, is to have strong antivirus software installed on all your devices. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe.
Get my picks for the best 2026 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices at Cyberguy.com/LockUpYourTech.
6) Reduce your digital footprint
Personal data fuels tax scams. The more information criminals can find online, the easier impersonation becomes. Using a data removal service can help limit exposed personal details across data broker sites. Less data means fewer opportunities for scammers to exploit your identity.
While no service can guarantee the complete removal of your data from the internet, a data removal service is really a smart choice. They aren’t cheap, and neither is your privacy. These services do all the work for you by actively monitoring and systematically erasing your personal information from hundreds of websites. It’s what gives me peace of mind and has proven to be the most effective way to erase your personal data from the internet. By limiting the information available, you reduce the risk of scammers cross-referencing data from breaches with information they might find on the dark web, making it harder for them to target you.
Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web at Cyberguy.com/Delete.
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The latest from Kurt the CyberGuy’s Beyond Connected podcast
The newest episode of Kurt the CyberGuy’s Beyond Connected shares a powerful warning about how AI-driven scams are changing the game for families. We break down the real story of an elderly woman targeted with deepfake impersonation, the red flags her family missed and how emotional manipulation led to devastating financial loss. The episode also looks at what these scams mean going forward and why no family should assume they are immune.
Kurt’s key takeaways
When you’re focused on making deliveries, keeping your rig moving and handling paperwork in between runs, tax season can feel like just one more thing piled on.
In 2026, the confusion around filing has made it even easier for scammers to blend in. They count on urgency, official-looking messages and the hope of quick money to push people into acting fast.
The smartest move is slowing down. Real IRS notices don’t rush you by text or email. If something pressures you to act immediately, that’s usually your sign to stop and double-check.
Have you seen tax-related emails or texts while on the road this year that didn’t sit right, and what tipped you off that it might be a scam? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.
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Kurt the CyberGuy is an award-winning tech journalist who helps people make smart tech decisions from his contributions to Fox News & FOX Business, beginning mornings on “FOX & Friends.” Stay safe & in the know — at no cost. Subscribe to Kurt’s The CyberGuy Report for free security alerts & tech tips.
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Kurt Knutsson — best known as “Kurt the CyberGuy” — has a deep love of technology that makes life better. Because of this, along with a passion for helping others, he created the largest syndicated tech lifestyle franchise on television. As a trusted source, Kurt’s unique insider access to major tech launches and industry visionaries has helped earn him two Emmy Awards and a Golden Mic.
Kurt lives between his home in California and New York City, where he is also the chief tech contributor on Fox News & Fox Business networks beginning his mornings on Fox & Friends.
Kurt’s a curious guy. Like many entrepreneurs in life, he wears several hats like running a private investment fund, giving inspirational talks, mentoring start-ups and traveling the world chasing down the next breakthrough.
