Tax Fraud Emerges as the 2025 Filing Season Approaches
As we get closer to the 2025 tax season, scams aimed at taxpayers are starting to pop up. Typically, tax season runs from January to April, so it’s that time again. The Federal Trade Commission has issued a warning regarding an increase in scams where individuals impersonate tax officials. These are not legitimate calls from the IRS but from scammers posing as agencies like the Tax Resolution Supervision Department. Folks receiving these calls might hear something like, “Hello, this is George from the Tax Resolution Unit. We’ve been trying to reach you for days. Your file indicates a balance after the 2025 extension deadline.” Understandably, this would concern any law-abiding taxpayer, but the reality is that these calls are just a tactic to steal personal information—social security numbers or bank account details.
It’s crucial to remember that if you’re behind on your taxes, the IRS will always make initial contact by mail, not by phone. These scam calls are becoming increasingly sophisticated thanks to advancements in artificial intelligence, which allows them to sound more convincing than ever. If you get an unsolicited call offering to help with a tax issue, it’s often a good idea to simply hang up.
Unexpected Phone Calls
These scams often involve surprise calls from fake agencies claiming you owe taxes. The scammers might use misleading names like the Tax Conciliation and Resolution Agency and pretend to be IRS employees.
Deception Tactics
- These calls are designed to collect personal information such as social security numbers and bank account details.
- Remember, the IRS always contacts taxpayers first through mail, never by phone.
- With advancing technology, these scams are becoming more elaborate and harder to identify.
- If you receive a suspicious call regarding tax issues, it’s advisable to hang up without engaging.
