"The IRS reported over 600 social media impersonators during fiscal year 2025, and urges people not to 'click links or open attachments from unexpected messages.' Scammers often use alarming language and QR codes to send people to fake websites where they ask the taxpayer to 'verify' accounts or enter personal information. Links may also install malware or malicious software, such as ransomware, which could prevent access to files and private information."
"AI-enabled IRS impersonation by phone (robocalls, voice mimicry, and spoofed caller ID) is also increasing, according to the agency. As phone scams evolve, AI provides new computer-generated tactics and spoofed caller identification to look legitimate."
"The IRS also reminds taxpayers it 'does not leave urgent, threatening prerecorded messages, call to demand immediate payment, or threaten arrest.' Identity theft is one of the most common forms of fraud around tax season, defined as the misuse of one's social security number or other personal information, often to collect a tax refund."
Tax season fraud is escalating with increased robocalls, texts, and phishing emails, driven partly by artificial intelligence capabilities. The IRS's top scam involves agency impersonation through email, text, and phone, with over 600 social media impersonators reported in fiscal year 2025. Scammers use alarming language, QR codes, and fake websites to trick taxpayers into verifying accounts or entering personal information. AI-enabled tactics include voice mimicry and spoofed caller IDs that appear legitimate. Identity theft, involving misuse of social security numbers to fraudulently collect tax refunds, represents one of the most common fraud forms. The IRS emphasizes it never initiates contact via text or phone, never leaves threatening messages, and never demands immediate payment or threatens arrest.
Read at Fast Company
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