As tax season ramps up in 2025, cybercriminals are leveraging cutting-edge technology to launch their most convincing and costly scams yet. From AI-generated phishing emails to deepfake phone calls impersonating IRS agents, scammers are cashing in on the chaos of tax season—and it’s working. According to a recent report from McAfee, nearly one in four Americans has either fallen victim to a tax scam or knows someone who has lost money.
AI is supercharging these efforts, flooding inboxes with fake IRS notices (48% of people have received one), impersonating trusted tax services like TurboTax or H&R Block (33% of people report this), and dangling fake refund offers (35% have encountered these). These scams don’t just look real—they feel urgent, pressuring victims to act fast or face penalties.
Here are 5 tips to protect yourself from tax scams:
- Verify First: The IRS contacts you by mail first, not email or phone. Check official sources, not links or numbers from messages.
- Resist Pressure: Ignore communications that implore you to act immediately. Urgent demands or refund lures (35% prevalence) are red flags. Legit notices don’t rush you.
- Lock Your Data: Impersonators (33% reported) want your info. Use 2FA and share only with verified parties.
- File securely. Only submit your taxes on secure https sites.
Report Suspicion: Odd refund offers or calls? Delete, then report to phishing@irs.gov or ftc.gov.