We're now in the middle of tax season! Whether you’re eagerly awaiting a refund or just trying to get through the paperwork, there’s one thing you need to be on high alert for: scammers. Every year, crooks get more creative in finding ways to steal your personal information, hijack your refund, and cause financial chaos.

 

The IRS isn’t just about collecting taxes—they’re also working to protect taxpayers from fraud. They’ve identified some of the biggest scams making the rounds in 2025, and trust us, some of them are downright sneaky. Let’s break them down so you know what to watch for.

 

The “Fake Advisor” Scam—A Tax Prep Nightmare

 

One of the most common and dangerous scams this year is what’s being called the "Fake Advisor" scheme. This one is pretty simple: scammers pose as tax professionals, offering to help you file your return. They might promise to get you a bigger refund, file everything quickly, and make the process a breeze. But in reality? They’re just after your personal information—your Social Security number, banking details, and anything else they can use to commit identity theft. They’ll often contact you out of the blue via phone, email, or even text. Sometimes, they’ll ask you to pay upfront for their “services,” or they’ll tweak your tax return to inflate your refund—which might sound great until the IRS comes knocking because your return was fraudulent. These scammers rarely sign the return, leaving you responsible if something goes wrong.

 

So, how do you protect yourself? Simple—only work with trusted tax professionals. Check their credentials, make sure they have a Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN), and never, ever give out personal information to someone who contacts you first. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.

 

Phishing Scams: When the IRS Isn’t Really the IRS

 

If you’ve ever gotten a questionable email claiming to be from the IRS, you’re not alone. Phishing scams are one of the biggest tax fraud tactics out there. These emails and texts look super legitimate—they might even have the IRS logo or official-sounding language—but they’re totally fake.

 

The goal? To get you to click on a link or enter personal information. Some of these scams claim that you owe taxes and need to pay immediately, while others dangle a fake “surprise refund” to lure you in. The IRS doesn’t email or text people out of the blue. Ever. If you get a message that seems even remotely suspicious, don’t click anything! Instead, report it to phishing@irs.gov and delete it.

 

The “IRS” is Calling? Nope, That’s a Scam Too

 

Picture this: You answer the phone, and the person on the other end claims to be from the IRS. They say you owe back taxes and demand immediate payment, threatening you with arrest, deportation, or even revoking your driver’s license. Sounds terrifying, right? Well, it’s also 100% fake. The IRS never calls people out of the blue demanding payment. They also don’t accept gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency as payment methods (no government agency is asking for iTunes gift cards).

 

If you get one of these calls, hang up immediately. It’s a scam—plain and simple. And whatever you do, don’t give them your personal information.

 

The Sneaky Social Media Scam

 

You’d think tax fraud would be limited to phone calls and emails, but scammers are all over social media too. Some of them pretend to be tax professionals and offer fake tax filing services, while others push bogus tax refund programs that don’t actually exist. If you see posts about “secret loopholes” to get a bigger refund or questionable tax credits, be skeptical. If a random stranger offers tax advice, run the other way. And if you’re ever unsure, check with the real IRS before believing anything.

 

Stolen Refunds: When Someone Files Taxes in Your Name

 

This one is a total nightmare. Imagine sitting down to file your taxes, only to get a rejection message that says “A tax return has already been filed under your Social Security number.” This happens when scammers steal your personal information and file a fake tax return in your name—claiming your refund before you even have a chance. It’s one of the worst forms of tax fraud and fixing it can be a huge headache.

 

The best way to prevent it? File your taxes early. The sooner you submit your return, the less chance a scammer has to beat you to it. You can also request an Identity Protection PIN (IP PIN) from the IRS, which adds an extra layer of security to your return.

 

Fake Charities: The Guilt Trip Scam

 

Scammers love to prey on generosity, and tax season is prime time for fake charity scams. You might get a phone call or email from someone claiming to represent a charity—often related to recent disasters or crises—asking for a donation. The catch? It’s not real, and your money is going straight into a scammer’s pocket. Before donating, always check if the organization is legitimate by looking them up on the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search. And if someone is pressuring you to donate immediately, that’s a red flag. A real charity won’t rush you.

 

Unemployment Fraud: Getting a 1099-G You Didn’t Expect

 

One of the more recent scams involves stolen unemployment benefits. Some taxpayers have been getting 1099-G tax forms from their state for unemployment benefits they never received. That means someone, somewhere, has been collecting benefits in your name. If this happens to you, contact your state’s unemployment office ASAP and let the IRS know.

 

How to Protect Yourself from Tax Scams

 

Look, scammers are getting smarter, but the good news is that you can outsmart them. Here’s how:

• Be skeptical. If someone contacts you out of the blue about your taxes, assume it’s a scam.
• Verify first. Always double-check with official sources like IRS.gov before taking action.
• File early. The faster you file, the less time scammers have to steal your information.
• Secure your info. Use strong passwords, enable two-factor authentication, and never share personal details over text or email.
• And most importantly, spread the word.

 

The more people know about these scams, the harder it is for fraudsters to succeed, so stay alert, stay informed, and let’s make 2025 a scam-free tax season!