Tax season is prime time for scammers, and they’re getting creative. If a preparer promises to double your refund or charges a suspiciously low fee, be cautious — it could be a scam! Scammers want your money, your refund, and your personal information.
Another common tactic is fake IRS emails. If you get a message claiming to be from the IRS, delete it immediately. The IRS does not contact taxpayers via email about refunds or tax issues.
To protect yourself:
- File your taxes early.
- Use a secure network, not public Wi-Fi.
- Never download links from unknown emails or share personal information with someone you don’t trust.
- Check references and ensure any tax preparer is properly registered with the government.
- Avoid pop-up ads or unsolicited offers.
- Don’t leave your tax return on your computer.
If you do fall victim to a scam, report it immediately to the IRS and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and let friends know so they can stay protected.
