The IRS provides guidance to help taxpayers identify and avoid tax scams. Key warning signs include:
Promises of large refunds or credits: Be cautious of offers that seem too good to be true, such as bad tax advice on social media urging falsification of tax forms or credit claims.
Urgent demands or threats: Scammers may impersonate IRS officials, demanding immediate payment and threatening arrest or deportation.
Suspicious website links: Be wary of odd or misspelled web links that can lead to malicious sites instead of the official IRS website.
To verify legitimate IRS contact:
- Email: The IRS emails only with your permission.
- Mail: Initial contact is typically through U.S. mail, with most IRS letters including a letter or notice number.
- Social media: The IRS does not contact taxpayers about their taxes via social media.
- Phone calls: The IRS usually sends a letter before calling about audits or to verify information.
For more information on recognizing tax scams and fraud, visit the IRS website.
Read the afull Article at https://www.irs.gov/help/tax-scams/recognize-tax-scams-and-fraud