Common Internet Scams to Watch for During Tax Season

Tax season brings a lot of things: paperwork, W-2s, maybe a refund you've already mentally spent. But it also brings something a lot less welcome: scammers. Unfortunately, they've gotten pretty good at what they do.

Every year, millions of Americans are targeted by tax-related fraud. Some lose money. Some have their identities stolen. And many never saw it coming because the scam looked just legitimate enough to be believable. Whether it's a convincing email claiming to be from

the IRS, a threatening phone call demanding immediate payment, or a suspicious text about your refund, these schemes are designed to catch you off guard.

On the bright side, there are plenty of ways to protect yourself and your bank account. Today, we’ll break down the most common internet fraud scams to watch for during tax season – what they look like, what red flags to spot, and exactly what to do if you think you've been targeted.

Why Tax Season Is a Prime Target for Scammers

Tax season is one of the few times of year when almost every adult in the country is actively thinking about money, government agencies, and their personal financial information – all at the same time. That's a golden window of opportunity for scammers.

People are expecting communications from the IRS, they're entering sensitive information online, and they're anxious about deadlines and potential fees. Scammers exploit every one of those vulnerabilities. A fake IRS email feels plausible when you're already in "tax mode," for example, and a robocall threatening legal action hits differently when you're already stressed about whether you filed everything correctly. 

Add to that the rise of phishing emails, smishing texts (SMS phishing), and increasingly convincing fake websites, and it's clear why tax season scams have become one of the most common types of internet fraud.

IRS Impersonation Emails and Texts: What They Look Like

Another big reason tax season is “scam season” is that scammer tactics can take several different forms. Here’s what an IRS email or text scam might look like if you encounter one.

What Is an IRS Email Scam?

An IRS email scam – also called a phishing email – is a fraudulent message designed to look like it's coming from the Internal Revenue Service. The goal is simple: get you to click a link, download an attachment, or hand over your personal information.

These emails often include:

• Official-looking IRS logos and formatting
• Urgent subject lines like "Immediate Action Required" or "Tax Refund Notification"
• Links to fake websites that look nearly identical to IRS.gov
• Requests for your Social Security number, bank account details, or login credentials
• Threats of penalties, audits, or legal action if you don't respond immediately

Here's a telltale detail: look at the sender's actual email address. Scam emails often come from addresses like "irs-support@gmail.com" or "taxrefund@irs-gov.net" – not an official government domain, which ends in “.gov”. If something feels off, trust that instinct.

What Is an IRS Text Scam? 

IRS tax return text scams work on the same principle as phishing emails, just in a more compact format. You'll get a message claiming your refund is ready, that there's a problem with your return, or that you owe back taxes – usually with a link to "resolve it."

These texts are designed to create urgency. They're short, alarming, and they include a link. Clicking that link can take you to a convincing fake site built to steal your credentials, or it may download malware onto your device.

Bottom line: don't click links in unexpected tax-related texts. Even if it looks official, go directly to IRS.gov in your browser instead.

How Does the IRS Actually Contact You?

The most important thing to know is that the IRS initiates contact by mail. Not email, text, or social media. A physical letter, sent through the United States Postal Service to the address on file, is the only way the IRS will get in touch.

Real IRS letters come with a notice number or letter number in the top right corner, a specific IRS office return address, and instructions that never include asking you to pay via wire transfer, gift cards, or cryptocurrency.

So if you receive an email or text claiming to be from the IRS, it’s a scam. Ignore it or flag it as a phishing message in your email or phone.

Red Flags of a Scam Phone Call

What about scam phone calls? These also seem to crop up much more frequently during tax season. Here’s how you can tell whether a call is legitimate, and how to respond if you’re targeted.

Will the IRS Call You?

Rarely, and never out of the blue. The IRS will only call you if you've already received a letter and are working through an existing issue, or if they're conducting an audit or investigation. Even then, they won't ask you to pay over the phone or demand immediate action.

So if your phone rings and a voice claims to be an IRS agent demanding you settle a tax debt right now, that's not the IRS. That's a scammer.

What Tax Phone Call Scams Sound Like

Tax phone call scams follow a predictable script, once you know what to listen for. The caller will typically:

• Claim you owe back taxes and demand immediate payment
• Threaten arrest, deportation, or license suspension if you don't comply
• Insist you pay via wire transfer, prepaid debit cards, or gift cards (a classic red flag)
• Tell you not to hang up or consult an attorney
• Spoof a real IRS phone number to make the caller ID look legitimate

The goal is panic. When you're panicked, you're not thinking clearly – and that's exactly what they're counting on. The IRS will never threaten you with immediate arrest, demand a specific payment method, or tell you to stay on the line while you go buy gift cards. If any of those things happen during a call, hang up.

How to Stop Scam Phone Calls

You can't always prevent scam calls from coming in, but you can avoid falling for them and reduce how many you receive.

• Don't engage. If you pick up and immediately sense something's off, hang up. There's no obligation to stay on the line.
• Don't call back unknown numbers. Scammers often use one-ring tactics to get you to return the call.
• Register with the Do Not Call Registry at donotcall.gov. It won't stop all scammers, but it cuts down on a lot of unwanted calls.
• Use call-blocking tools. Most smartphones have built-in spam call detection, and many carriers offer additional filtering features.
• Report the call to the IRS at phishing@irs.gov and to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov.

Cyber AssuranceIndemnity from MaxxSouth can also help you flag, report, and avoid scam calls and texts.

Other Common Tax Season Scams to Know About

IRS impersonation gets most of the attention, but it's far from the only tax-related scam making the rounds. Here are a few others worth knowing about:

• Tax identity theft — A scammer uses your stolen Social Security number to file a tax return in your name – and collect your refund – before you even sit down to file. You won't find out until your legitimate return gets rejected. If that happens, contact the IRS immediately and file Form 14039 (Identity Theft Affidavit).
• Fake charity scams — Charitable donations are tax-deductible, which means tax season is a prime time for fake charity scams to spike. Fraudulent organizations use names that sound similar to real nonprofits, accepting donations that go straight into someone's pocket. Before donating to any charity, verify it through the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search at apps.irs.gov.
• Social media tax scams — Scammers have found their way to social media, where they spread misinformation about fake tax credits, promote bogus "tax relief" services, and even impersonate tax professionals in DMs. Be skeptical of any tax advice or offers that come through your social feeds, especially if they promise unusually large refunds or guaranteed results.

What to Do If You Think You've Been Targeted

First, don't panic. And if you've already clicked something or given out information, don't beat yourself up – these scams are specifically built to be convincing. What matters now is acting quickly.

1. Stop and don't pay anything. If you haven't already sent money or provided information, don't. No legitimate government agency will demand immediate payment via wire transfer, gift cards, or cryptocurrency.
2. Report the scam to the IRS. Forward suspicious emails to phishing@irs.gov. Report phone scams to the Treasury Inspector General at 1-800-366-4484.
3. File a complaint with the FTC. Visit reportfraud.ftc.gov to report the scam. Your report helps authorities track patterns and warn others.
4. Contact your bank if financial information was shared. If you gave out your bank account number or made a payment, call your financial institution immediately to freeze the transaction or flag your account.
5. Check your credit. If personal information was compromised, consider placing a fraud alert or credit freeze with the three major bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.
6. Get an IRS Identity Protection PIN. If you believe your Social Security number was stolen, you can request an IP PIN from the IRS that prevents anyone else from filing a return in your name.

How to Protect Yourself from Internet Fraud Scams Year-Round

Tax season gets all the headlines, but internet scams don't take the rest of the year off. Building good digital habits now means you'll be harder to fool (and not just in April, but all year long).

• Use strong, unique passwords for your tax software, email, and financial accounts. A password manager makes this a lot easier.
• Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) wherever possible. Even if someone gets your password, they can't get in without the second step.
• Avoid doing sensitive tasks on public WiFi. Filing your taxes at the coffee shop sounds convenient, but public networks are far less secure than your home connection.
• Keep your software and devices updated. Many cyberattacks exploit outdated operating systems and apps. Updates often include important security patches.
• Be skeptical of unsolicited links and attachments. Even if an email looks like it's from someone you know, if something feels off – unexpected, urgent, or just a little strange – verify before you click.
• Use a secure home network. A reliable internet connection with built-in security features goes a long way toward protecting your household from digital threats.

Avoid Tax Scams with MaxxSouth Broadband and Stay Safe Online

Knowing what tax scams look like is your first line of defense. Sharing that knowledge with your family – especially older relatives who may be more vulnerable to phone and email scams – is one of the most protective things you can do this tax season.

At MaxxSouth Broadband, we believe staying connected should also mean staying protected. That's why our plans come with SmartNet – whole-home WiFi with enhanced security built in – giving your household a safer foundation for everything you do online, from filing taxes to streaming your favorite shows. And if a scam does slip through, our Brainiacs Cyber AssuranceIndemnity service – an all-in-one identity theft and cyber protection solution – adds identity and dark web monitoring, credit protection tools, hands-on recovery support, and reimbursement for certain eligible identity theft–related expenses, helping your family bounce back more quickly if your information is ever misused. 

Questions about your internet service, security features, or anything else? Our local team is here to help. Visit MaxxSouth or give us a call to find the plan that fits your home.