That text about your $1,400 stimulus payment? It’s Uncle Sam trying to rob you, not help you.
As tax season descends upon us like a vulture on roadkill, scammers nationwide are ramping up their efforts to steal your hard-earned money through increasingly sophisticated IRS impersonation schemes. From AI-generated voice clones to fake stimulus payment texts, these criminals are deploying technology that would make James Bond villains jealous. The IRS, meanwhile, can barely process legitimate returns on time but wants you to believe they’ll protect you from fraud. With “ghost” tax preparers disappearing faster than your refund hopes and phishing schemes more abundant than political promises in an election year, everyday Americans need to arm themselves with knowledge before they become the next victim.
The Government Will Never Text You Free Money (Shocking, Right?)
If you’ve received a text message promising an automatic $1,400 stimulus payment, congratulations – you’ve been selected for a special kind of government attention. Not the kind where they actually give you money, but the kind where criminals want to empty your bank account. These unsolicited texts, claiming to be from the IRS, are nothing but elaborate phishing attempts designed to steal your personal information. And while the government certainly enjoys taking your money, they’re never going to text you about giving it back.
The IRS has made it abundantly clear – though they rarely make anything else clear – that they do not initiate contact with taxpayers through text messages, emails, or social media to request personal or financial information. If they need to reach you, they’ll send you a letter through good old-fashioned mail, probably months after you needed the information. So when you receive that text with a suspicious link claiming to be from the IRS, do what you should do with most government communications – ignore it completely.
The Dirty Dozen – Not Just a Movie Title Anymore
Every year, like clockwork, the IRS releases its “Dirty Dozen” list of tax scams, as if celebrating the most creative ways criminals have devised to separate you from your money. This year’s list includes everything from email phishing scams to fake charities and false fuel tax credit claims. It’s like a greatest hits album of financial fraud, with new tracks being added every tax season. And while the IRS seems proud of this annual tradition, one has to wonder why they can’t actually stop these scams instead of just listing them.
Scammers use tax season as an opportunity to con people into opening fraudulent email and text messages, especially when it comes to their #IRS refund. Stay alert to this Dirty Dozen scam: https://t.co/8GwITTZEEO
— IRStaxsecurity (@IRStaxsecurity) March 29, 2024
“Scammers are relentless, and they use the guise of tax season to try tricking taxpayers into falling into a variety of traps. These red flags can lead to everything from identity theft to being misled into claiming tax credits for which they’re not entitled” – Terry Lemons, IRS communications senior adviser
Of particular concern is the rise of “ghost” tax preparers – individuals who prepare tax returns without signing them or providing proper identification. They swoop in, promise huge refunds, take their fee upfront, and then vanish like Democrats discussing border security. These ghosts often file fraudulent returns loaded with false deductions, leaving you holding the bag when the IRS eventually comes knocking. And trust me, unlike those stimulus texts, the IRS will absolutely contact you when they believe you owe them money.
Scammers use tax season as an opportunity to con people into opening fraudulent email and text messages, especially when it comes to their #IRS refund. Stay alert to this Dirty Dozen scam: https://t.co/YD55qR7VaZ pic.twitter.com/i5UhoTMZ27
— IRS Tax Pros (@IRStaxpros) April 3, 2024
AI-Powered Scams: Because Human Criminals Weren’t Bad Enough
As if we didn’t have enough problems with the government’s actual artificial intelligence (Congress), now we have to worry about AI-powered scams too. Criminals are using advanced voice cloning technology to mimic the voices of trusted individuals, creating frighteningly convincing scam calls. These technological terrors can sound exactly like your tax preparer, family member, or even your boss, asking for sensitive information or immediate payment to resolve a fabricated tax issue.
“It’s harder to have AI react to natural questions. The answers generally have to be pre-programmed. So it’s best to ask something like: ‘What do you need this for?’ or even ‘How was your golf game last Sunday?'” – Michael Scheumack
The experts suggest asking off-script questions to trip up these AI systems, but I suggest something simpler: hang up immediately. If someone claiming to be from the IRS calls you, it’s about as legitimate as campaign promises. Remember, the real IRS won’t call to demand immediate payment using a specific method such as a prepaid debit card, gift card, or wire transfer. They certainly won’t threaten to bring in local police to have you arrested for not paying. The only thing the IRS does slowly is process legitimate refunds – everything else requires paperwork and multiple notices.
Protecting Yourself in a World Where Everyone Wants Your Money
So how do you protect yourself in this brave new world where scammers are more technologically advanced than our own government agencies? First, file your tax return early before identity thieves can do it for you. Create an IRS Identity Protection PIN, which is basically acknowledging that the IRS can’t protect your data without your help. Consider freezing your credit reports if you’re concerned about identity theft, though this won’t stop the government from finding new ways to tax you.
“Scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated. With so many distractions in our daily lives, it’s more important than ever to stay protected.” – Nati Tal
Remember that the IRS will never text you, email you, or slide into your DMs asking for personal information. They communicate the old-fashioned way – through letters that arrive weeks after the deadline they’re informing you about. If you receive suspicious communications claiming to be from the IRS, report them to [email protected] and then promptly go about your day knowing you’ve done your civic duty, even if nothing comes of it. In the battle between taxpayers and scammers, vigilance is your only weapon – because lord knows the government isn’t exactly winning the war on tax fraud.
