TL;DR: Tax season runs roughly from late January through the mid-April filing deadline, and scammers ramp up right alongside it because millions of people are actively expecting communication from tax authorities and waiting on refunds. Remember that tax agencies typically initiate contact by mail, not email, text, or phone, and never click links in unsolicited tax-related messages — go directly to the official site instead.
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Tax season runs roughly from late January through the mid-April filing deadline, and scammers ramp up right alongside it because millions of people are actively expecting communication from tax authorities and waiting on refunds.
How the Scam Plays Out
Fraudsters send phishing emails and texts posing as the tax agency, claiming a problem with your return or an unexpected refund, and direct you to a fake login page designed to harvest your Social Security number and banking details.
How to Protect Yourself
Remember that tax agencies typically initiate contact by mail, not email, text, or phone, and never click links in unsolicited tax-related messages — go directly to the official site instead.
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Frequently Asked Questions
When does this typically happen?
Tax season runs roughly from late January through the mid-April filing deadline, and scammers ramp up right alongside it because millions of people are actively expecting communication from tax authorities and waiting on refunds.
What tactics are used?
Fraudsters send phishing emails and texts posing as the tax agency, claiming a problem with your return or an unexpected refund, and direct you to a fake login page designed to harvest your Social Security number and banking details.
How can I protect myself?
Remember that tax agencies typically initiate contact by mail, not email, text, or phone, and never click links in unsolicited tax-related messages — go directly to the official site instead.
What should I do if I’ve already been targeted?
Stop all payments immediately, contact your bank or card issuer to see if a transaction can be reversed or flagged, and report the incident to the appropriate consumer protection body.