Reviewed and updated October 16, 2026
Recognize pressure and impersonation
One warning sign is an unexpected caller demanding immediate payment by gift card, cryptocurrency or another unusual method. A second is an email or text link asking you to enter IRS credentials or banking details. A third is a social-media claim that anyone can obtain a large refund by inventing wages, withholding or credit eligibility.
Scammers can imitate agency branding and caller ID. Treat apparent authority as something to verify, not proof. The IRS generally initiates contact by mail, although legitimate exceptions exist. A real notice should still be checked through official contact information.
Watch the preparation and document process
A fourth warning sign is a preparer who promises a refund before reviewing records, refuses to sign a return or directs the refund into their own account. A fifth is an unexpected request to send sensitive documents through an unfamiliar upload link.
Review the complete return before authorizing filing. You remain responsible for information submitted in your name. Never sign a blank return, and keep copies of the signed return and engagement information. Confirm a changed payment or document-upload instruction using a known contact method.
Respond without amplifying the risk
Do not click, pay or provide codes while deciding whether a request is real. Visit IRS.gov directly, check your account and use the number on a verified notice or official page. Follow IRS instructions for reporting phishing and identity theft.
If personal information may have been exposed, promptly discuss the situation with your tax professional and consider an IRS Identity Protection PIN through the official process. Scams change frequently, so use current IRS alerts instead of assuming a list labeled 2023 covers today’s threats.
Official sources
This guide provides general information. The rules depend on the tax year, jurisdiction and your circumstances. Ask our team which filing or planning steps apply to you.
