By Voung H.
Voung oversees BSA/AML, fraud prevention, and sanctions compliance and is responsible for building data-driven controls and partners across the FIGFCU to safeguard the credit union, its Members, and stop emerging threats.
This article is for educational purposes only and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
Summary
- The IRS will never contact you by text, email, or social media for personal information
- Be cautious of fake tax refund messages and scam mailings
- Never share sensitive data like your Social Security number or bank details
- Use the official IRS website to check your refund status
- Report suspected tax scams immediately to protect yourself and others
Why tax refund scams increase during tax season.
Filing your tax return can feel like a big accomplishment, especially if you’re expecting a refund. Unfortunately, tax season is also a peak time for scams. Fraudsters take advantage of increased IRS activity and public attention to trick people into sharing sensitive personal and financial information.
According to the IRS, tax scams have cost taxpayers billions of dollars and exposed countless individuals to identity theft. Understanding how these scams work is the first step in protecting yourself from tax scams during tax season and year round.
Common IRS Tax Scams to Watch For
1. Fake IRS mail and “Unclaimed Refund” letters
Scammers may send official-looking letters claiming you are owed an unclaimed refund. These letters often include fake IRS branding and contact information.
Their goal is to get you to:
- Call a fraudulent phone number
- Share personal details like your Social Security number
- Provide banking information for “depositing” your refund
Important: The IRS does not send unexpected tax refund notices requesting personal information. If it sounds too good to be true, it is.
2. Tax refund scams by email or text (Phishing)
You may receive a text or email claiming your refund has been recalculated or is ready to claim. These messages often include links or attachments.
Do not:
- Click on links
- Download attachments
- Respond with personal information
These scams may install malware on your device or lead to identity theft. The IRS does not issue tax refunds or request information by email or text. If you receive one of these fake emails or texts, delete it. Do NOT open it. If you open the email or text, do NOT click any links, as they may install malware on your phone or computer, which can lock you out of your device. The only way to regain access is to pay a ransom. Know the telltale signs of a scam and how to know if it’s really the IRS.
How to safely check your IRS refund status.
If you’re expecting a tax refund, the safest way to check is through the official IRS tool at Where’s My Refund? on the IRS website:
Typical refund timelines include:
- Within 24 hours after e-filing a current-year return
- 3–4 days after e-filing a prior-year return
- About 4 weeks after mailing a paper return
Always use the official IRS website, IRS.gov, to avoid fraudulent sites.
How to tell if it’s really the IRS.
As mentioned above, the IRS doesn’t initiate contact with taxpayers by email, text message, or social media to request personal or financial information. Here are a few things to consider to help you figure out if the IRS or a scammer is contacting you.
- The IRS contacts taxpayers by postal mail first; they will not call or email you first, nor will they ask for personal or financial information.
- The IRS will not reach out to you via social media.
- The IRS will not leave a prerecorded threatening or urgent voicemail.
- The IRS’s website is IRS.gov. The IRS’s website does not end with .com, .net, .org, or .edu.
- The IRS will not ask for your credit or debit card information over the phone, by text, or by email.
- The IRS will not ask you to pay a bill with a gift card or prepaid debit card.
- The IRS will not threaten to arrest or deport you or revoke your driver’s license or passport.
- The IRS will not threaten to send local law enforcement to your home or business.
If a message creates urgency or fear, it’s likely a scam.
How to report IRS scams.
If you suspect a tax scam, take action right away:
- Report impersonation scams to the U.S. Department of the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration. You can also call 800-366-4484 to report impersonation scams.
- Report phone scams to the Federal Trade Commission using the FTC Complaint Assistant. Add “IRS Telephone Scam” in the notes.
- Report an unsolicited email claiming to be from the IRS or an IRS-related system like the Electronic Federal Tax Payment System to the IRS at phishing@irs.gov.
- Protect your community by reporting fraud, scams, and bad business practices. Report fraud to Report Fraud FTC.
- For a comprehensive listing of recent tax scams, consumer alerts, and how to report them, visit Tax Scams/Consumer Alerts.
Reporting scams helps protect others and prevents further fraud.
Final thoughts: Stay alert year round.
Tax scams don’t end when tax season does. Scammers are active year-round, constantly finding new ways to steal personal information and money.
Always remember:
- Legitimate organizations will not ask for sensitive information unexpectedly
- Caller ID can be spoofed (faked)—even if it looks like a trusted number
- When in doubt, hang up and contact the organization directly
Staying informed and cautious is your best defense against fraud. One way to stay vigilant is to visit our Current Scams page. It’s filled with news and videos to help you stay alert to fraudsters and scammers. By recognizing the warning signs and taking proactive steps, you can help protect your identity, your finances, and your peace of mind.
Remember, just like the IRS, we will never call or text asking for your personal information, such as your Social Security number, username, account number, credit card number, password, or one-time passcode, over the phone unless you initiated the call directly to us. Even if the caller has an identifying piece of information about you or the call appears to be from our 800 number, the call is NOT legitimate. Scammers can spoof phone numbers to make it appear the call is from a trusted source. The Credit Union will not call you and ask for this information. Hang up and contact us directly at 800.877.2345.
This article is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended as financial or legal advice. Members should contact the Credit Union for guidance regarding their individual situation.
