The IRS issued a warning to protect personal and financial information during tax season. At this time of year, the IRS sees an increase in fraudulent activity about tax returns and refunds. People are at risk of becoming subject to identity theft while filing taxes.
The IRS reports that last year there was an increase in text messages impersonating the IRS. These messages, sent to cell phones, impersonated the IRS and referenced Covid relief or stimulus payments. The texts had a link to a fake IRS website that the scammers used to collect information. An individual who receives a fraudulent text message should take a screenshot of the message and send it in an email to phishing@irs.gov with the date/time the message was received and the phone number that received the message.
Unemployment fraud has also increased over the past year. States have reported a large increase in fraudulent unemployment claims filed by organized crime rings using stolen identities. Unemployment compensation is taxable income, so states will issue Form 1099-G. Anyone receiving a Form 1099-G with payments they did not receive should report it to the issuing state agency and request a corrected form.
Fraudulent emails impersonating the IRS have also been reported. The IRS does not start contact with individuals by email to request personal or financial information. Most IRS contact is initiated through the U.S. postal mail. An unsolicited email from the IRS should be reported to phishing@IRS.gov.
The IRS also does not leave phone messages with pre-recorded scripts or urgent/threatening messages. IRS agents do not demand payment by phone or ask for credit or debit information over the phone. Such calls should be ignored or reported to law enforcement.
Victims of identity theft should take the following steps recommended by the IRS:
- Taxpayers should complete IRS Form 14039, Identity Theft Affidavit, if an e-file tax return rejects because of a duplicate filing under their SSN or they are instructed to do so by the IRS. Individuals can use a fillable form at IRS.gov, then print and attach the form to their paper return and mail according to instructions.
- Victims of tax-related identity theft should continue to pay their taxes and file their tax return, even if they must do so by paper.
- Taxpayers who previously contacted the IRS about tax-related identity theft and did not have a resolution should call for specialized assistance at 1-800-908-4490.
More information is available at: IRS.gov/identitytheft.
