The IRS has once again rolled out its annual “Dirty Dozen” list of scams on March 28, 2024, and with it comes a crucial heads-up: Stay sharp because phishing and smishing tax scams are getting sneakier, all with the aim of swiping your sensitive info.
Here’s the Scoop
Email and text scams are nothing new, but they’re getting more sophisticated, targeting not just everyday folks but businesses, too. The game plan for these digital con artists? To dupe you into clicking on shady links, sharing your personal and financial details, or inadvertently downloading malware that wreaks havoc on your computer.
IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel throws down some real talk: Scammers love masquerading as the IRS because, let’s face it, we all perk up when it’s about our refunds or tax issues. His advice? Treat unsolicited messages like that suspicious leftover tuna sandwich in the fridge—just don’t go there if something feels off.
Launched in 2002, the “Dirty Dozen” isn’t just a list; it’s a public service announcement aiming to shield taxpayers, businesses, and tax pros from falling victim to common cons that could lead to lost money or, worse, stolen identities.
Thanks to a nine-year tag team effort known as the Security Summit, the IRS, state tax agencies, and tax industry bigwigs have been beefing up defenses to protect us. They’re not just building walls; they’re spreading the word on how to spot and sidestep these scams.
Phish and Smish: The Digital “Don’t Take the Candy” Warnings
The IRS is spotlighting the relentless barrage of phishing (that’s the email con) and smishing (the text message scam) aiming to trip you up. Tax pros, payroll peeps, and HR departments are prime targets because they’re sitting on a treasure trove of personal and financial data.
Here’s what to look out for:
- Phishing: Fake emails pretending to be the IRS dangling bait like a phony tax refund or scare tactics about legal troubles over tax fraud.
- Smishing: Texts that push your panic buttons with messages about your account being “on hold” or detecting “unusual activity,” complete with a dodgy link supposedly to fix the issue.
The golden rule? If it smells fishy and claims to be from the IRS, back away. The IRS prefers snail mail for official business and wouldn’t text or email you out of the blue about your refund or tax bill.
What You Should Do
If a phishing or smishing message lands in your lap, here’s how to deal without getting reeled in:
Emails: Forward the whole shebang—headers and all—to phishing@irs.gov. Then, delete it.
Texts: Text ‘SPAM’ to 7726 to report it, then forward the message to phishing@irs.gov, including the message body and sender info if possible. After that, delete it.
For the full drill on safeguarding yourself, the IRS has laid it all out on their website, complete with a video guide against fake IRS texts.
Reporting the Bad Apples
Stumbled upon a tax scam or a shady tax preparer? The IRS wants to know. Fill out and send Form 14242 to the IRS Lead Development Center. Your vigilance not only protects you but helps put the scammers where they belong—nowhere near our tax returns.
In short, with the “Dirty Dozen” list as your guide and a healthy dose of skepticism, you can steer clear of the pitfalls of tax season scams. Stay informed, stay cautious, and let’s keep our personal information just that—personal.
