As we head into tax season, let's talk about a scam that's been making the rounds: the IRS Impostor Scam.
Did you know that in 2023, impostor scams were the second most reported type of fraud? The Federal Trade Commission reported an astounding $2.69 billion lost to these scams, with over 850,000 incidents. Among these, government impostors were the most common, but scammers also pretended to be romantic interests, relatives needing help, or technical support providers.
As you start collecting tax documents and readying to file, be on the lookout for IRS impersonators. You might get emails suggesting you're due a tax refund or asking you to open a link to view a tax refund statement. They could ask for personal identification info to "process your refund." Here's the deal: any text or email about a tax refund is a scam.
Another tactic scammers may use is to claim you owe money to the IRS and need to pay right away, sometimes threatening arrest, massive debt and late fees, or other consequences. They'll often ask for payments via bank transfers, cryptocurrency or pre-paid gift cards.
Remember, the IRS will not contact you by text, email or social media. They won’t ask for personal or financial information through these means either. Instead, they’ll mail you a letter or notice before calling or emailing.
To avoid falling for an IRS Impostor Scam, never click on links in emails or texts, as they could expose your device to malware or direct you to fake websites to steal your information. Additionally, don’t open email or text attachments. Be wary of any urgency, pressure or threats forcing you to give out personal or financial information and always watch out for emails with spelling or grammar mistakes. Instead of trusting unsolicited messages, check the official IRS website at irs.gov to see if you are due a refund.
If you suspect a scam, you can report it to the AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline at 877-908-3360.
Michelle Tabler is a fraud education expert for AARP Alaska.
