New York — Robocalls, text messages and phishing emails from scammers are up this tax season compared to previous years, and artificial intelligence is likely increasing fraud attempts, according to the Federal Trade Commission’s Consumer Protection Bureau. Consumer advocates and government officials urge the public to remain cautious, stop and think before engaging by phone or text, and remember that the IRS will not contact you directly via text or phone.
Here’s what you should know.
Every year, the IRS releases its data The “Dirty Dozen” of tax frauds Targeting taxpayers. At the top of the list is agency impersonation via email, text, and phone. The IRS reported more than 600 social media impersonators during fiscal year 2025, and is urging people not to “click on links or open attachments from unexpected messages.”
The IRS also reminds taxpayers to “never leave urgent pre-recorded threatening messages or call to demand immediate payment or threaten arrest.”
Scammers often use spam language and QR codes to send people to fake websites where they ask taxpayers to “verify” accounts or enter personal information, according to the IRS. Links may also install malware or harmful software, such as ransomware, which may prevent access to private files and information. “IRS phone impersonation (robocalls, voice imitation, spoofed caller ID)” is also on the rise, according to the agency. As phone scams evolve, artificial intelligence provides new computer-generated tactics that identify a scam caller to appear legitimate.
In this context, identity theft is one of the most common forms of fraud this tax season, according to Rosario Mendez, an attorney with the Federal Trade Commission’s Consumer Protection Bureau. Mendez defines this type of theft as the misuse of a Social Security number or other personal information, often to collect a tax refund.
“People usually find out when they go to file their tax returns and find out that someone else has already filed them,” she said. “For the IRS records, that means it actually happened. But it’s not the person, it’s an identity thief.”
The Identity Theft Resource Center has also tracked an increase in scams and identity theft attempts over the past several years, likely fueled by AI-generated messages, said Eva Velasquez, CEO of the Identity Theft Resource Center.
“We’re seeing an uptick in phishing emails, fake texts, and even phone calls,” Velasquez said. “Scammers try to get you to participate in any way – talk to them, click a link, share your personal data, or share access to your devices or accounts.”
The “sheer scale and level of sophistication” indicates that AI is being leveraged, according to Velasquez.
“‘Flood’ is the best word I can think of, because it is relentless,” she said.
Whenever possible, according to Velasquez, the best practice when receiving any of these messages is “type, don’t click.” This means that instead of clicking on any link sent in any type of message, type the URL of the official website of the IRS (IRS.gov), or whatever agency is supposed to be contacting you.
“Go to the source. Don’t click on any of those links,” she said. “If you’re not the one initiating the contact, don’t participate.”
According to Cathy Stokes, director of fraud prevention programs at AARP, younger people more often file reports that they have been defrauded, but older individuals report losing more money than younger consumers.
“This is because they have more money to lose,” she said.
If you suspect fraud, or the message seems suspicious, Stokes stressed the importance of slowing down and talking to someone. When someone receives a notification that seems strange, scary, or urgent, if they stop to talk to a friend, family member, or someone they trust, they can usually spot it’s a scam.
“This will also protect the people you share this information with from falling for fraud,” she said.
If someone has already used your Social Security number to file a tax return with you, it is important to report it to the IRS.
You should also go to IdentityTheft.gov to report the theft, according to Mendez. At the end of this reporting process, the government will give you a personalized recovery plan.
“If a scammer uses your Social Security number to file a tax return, the same thief could use it to open bank accounts or credit cards or file for unemployment,” she said. “Another worthwhile step is to monitor your credit report and freeze credit accounts so they cannot be abused.”
Alan Butler, executive director of the Electronic Privacy Information Center, echoed this, encouraging victims of scams to look for identity theft monitoring in the future as well. However, he warns people against paying exorbitant costs for these services, which are sometimes questionable, but that they should examine the offers carefully.
“People can fall victim to having their identity stolen not just once, but again, because monitoring services try to sell them out,” he said.
If you are the victim of a scam and lose money, you may also want to file a report with your local police, according to Stokes.
“Even if you face opposition from local law enforcement, you should insist on the report,” she said. “There may be a way to compensate victims of fraud in the future, and they want that as proof of what happened.”
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