The IRS has launched a new web page allowing taxpayers to report scams and fraud confidentially. This is important since only 2.6% of scams are reported to authorities in the US, according to new research from F-Secure. Many people worry about victim-blaming or feel ashamed that they fell for a common scam. But if it’s happened to you, you’re not alone. The incidence of scams doubled between 2024 and 2025, rising to 62% last year, according to the report. While 80% of people believe they can spot a scam, 60% fell victim in the past year.
Gen Z has emerged as the most common victim, 1.6 times more likely to experience cyber crime than all adults. Baby boomers and other retirees are savvier than ever when it comes to identifying scams. But every demographic should be vigilant this time of year.
“The Boomer crowd has more money to go after, but that’s not necessarily always the motivation of scammers. We’re seeing a rise in small dollar scams,” said Megan Squire, Threat Intelligence Researcher at F-Secure.
Criminals continue to introduce new types of fraud to separate taxpayers of all ages from their money. If one of these happens to you or a loved one, report it to the IRS at IRS.gov/SubmitATip.
Fake IRS calls
Calls claiming to be IRS representatives still run rampant – and they’re more believable in today’s era of artificial intelligence. “Anyone impersonating a government official this time of year would pretend to be an IRS agent,” Squire said. “They’re usually fishing for additional funds, claiming that you underpaid or you owe more money. Then they say you can conveniently pay through a Bitcoin ATM or some kind of nonsense like that.”
The IRS will never call if you owe money and the agency doesn’t accept payments in cryptocurrency or gift cards.
You’ll receive official forms and letters, beginning with Form CP14, which notifies you of a balance due that should be paid within 21 days. If you don’t act on this, the IRS can continue with collection activity by mail after 60 says, according to the Taxpayer Advocate service.
E-filing error reports
Another common scam takes place via email and mimics the look and feel of tax software, according to the F-Secure report. The email notifies you of an error with your e-file and prompts you to login to their page, which harvests the credentials you used with your tax software company. Once the hackers have that information, they have access to all your filing data.
Never click links in emails. Instead, login to your tax software directly from the home page or through their app.
Social security phishing
Hackers phishing for social security numbers and other personal information come in many forms, including emails, phone calls, text messages, and social media direct messages. Often, hackers already have some of your personal details and are using it to construct a convincing lie.
“It’s a sad state of affairs, but it’s true that the majority of folks with a credit history, at this point, have most or all of their information out there, able to be cobbled together by thieves,” Squire said. “You don’t want to make the scam easier for them.”
Bottom line: Never provide personal information to anyone who calls, texts, or messages.
Tax refund scams
Another common scam creates a sense of urgency around receiving your tax refund. Someone may call and say your tax refund was sent to the wrong account and ask for your correct bank account details to remit funds.
To avoid this, double check your bank account information before submitting your tax returns. But know that the IRS will not call if there’s an error. In all likelihood, your bank will reject the deposit and return the funds to the IRS. The IRS will issue a refund by mail or other means, according to the IRS website.
In another version of this scam, callers might say you have a refund waiting but you need to fill out paperwork and pay a fee, Squire shared. There is no additional “paperwork fee” to claim a refund, beyond whatever you pay to your tax preparer or tax software company for filing your return.
Fraudulent tax experts
In a press release, F-Secure warns of people on social media who pretend to be tax experts. They often reach out via direct message and may promise a faster refund or bigger return. Once you hand over your personal information and pay them, they disappear.
The IRS publishes a director of Federal Tax Return Preparers with credentials recognized by the IRS. Check this database before working with a company or individual. However, keep in mind that anyone with a Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN) can prepare a return for a client.
Read reviews, ask local friends for recommendations, or file with a reputable national tax software company to avoid being taken by a fly-by-night tax preparer.