New Strategies for IRS Scam Prevention in 2024

July 2, 2024 Scam Reviewer

As the new year is around the corner, emerging problems are also around the corner. The popular IRS scam is an ongoing threat that takes advantage of naive people. In 2024, con artists will use new techniques to fool consumers into disclosing private information or paying for needless services. This blog’s objective is to give you the most recent strategies for avoiding financial theft and staying one step ahead of IRS fraud.

How Are Scammers Aiming For You This Tax Season?

Scams involving tax refunds are fast rising to the top of the list of methods used by fraudsters to steal your money and identity and avoid IRS scams that will put you in trouble. 

Criminals take advantage of the anxiety associated with filing taxes or corresponding with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and protecting against IRS fraud to obtain sensitive information and file false tax returns. Furthermore, the issue is just getting worse. 

In 2022 alone, the IRS reported over $7 billion in tax fraud; the outlook for 2023 is similarly dire, with several refund schemes.

We are not all tax specialists. So, how can you recognize an IRS imposter, a tax refund scam, or any other numerous ways thieves take advantage of tax season to defraud you?

How Do Tax Refund Scams Operate?

Financial frauds, known as “tax refund scams,” involve con artists posing as IRS officials or other government agencies to fool you into sending them personal details or granting them access to your tax refund.

Since most people have never dealt with the IRS, tax scams are very profitable for those who perpetrate them. Additionally, once they obtain your information, they can use it to commit additional crimes, including identity theft.

Sensing the Scene: The Growth of IRS Scams

IRS scams usually include con artists posing as Internal Revenue Service agents and scaring their victims into believing they are engaged in unlawful activity or that they owe money. These scams have become more difficult to spot over time as they have developed from simple phone calls to tricky web operations, and safeguarding against tax scams is important. In 2024, con artists will be using social engineering and high-edge technologies; therefore, protection must be proactive.

Knowledge is your first line of protection against IRS scams, but safeguarding against tax scams requires keeping an eye on it. Keep up with the most recent strategies employed by con artists and become aware of typical warning signs. The Internal Revenue Service will never require prompt payment without allowing the debtor to contest or dispute the amount owed. Threaten to involve immigration authorities or law enforcement. Ask for payment using non-traditional channels like wire transfers or gift cards.

Knowing these warning signs will help you spot any fraud early on and take the necessary action. This tax season, be cautious of these 13 tax refund scams.

  • Phishing emails requesting information verification
  • calls requesting payment of taxes
  • submitting a tax return on your behalf
  • Suspended SSN claimants “Ghost” tax preparers that pilfer your return
  • Getting emails asking for more tax forms
  • False IRS notifications claiming you need to file a bigger tax return
  • Joblessness and fraudulent stimulus expenditures
  • Calls from non-IRS tax authorities
  • Someone asserting that you owe them money
  • Scams using Offers in Compromise (OIC)
  • Tax payments be made with cryptocurrency or gift cards
  • Forgers asking for a W-8BEN form as Email phishing

How to Spot an IRS Forger

Speaking with the IRS can be unsettling. But if you know how they typically interact with taxpayers, you can tell very quickly if someone isn’t who they claim to be.

First, remember that almost all official IRS correspondence is sent by regular mail via the USPS.‍

The IRS may give you a call or come in person if you have outstanding taxes spanning several years and have not answered several letters. The agent will always identify themselves by name during the contact and will never threaten or demand payment in full right away. When an agent comes in person, they will be wearing an HSPD-12 government ID badge.

Warning Signs to Look at:

  • They contact you via social media, text, or email. The IRS never contacts taxpayers through unsolicited emails, texts, or social media posts.
  • You get a message on your voicemail. The IRS occasionally calls a taxpayer; usually, this happens after the taxpayer receives many letters in the mail. However, the person on the other end of the telephone will always be a human. An automated or prerecorded message is a fraud.
  • They advise you to use unauthorized means to make payments. One of the many ways to pay the IRS is through IRS.gov. You can tell if someone is impersonating someone if they say you can’t pay at IRS.gov.
  • You are requested to pay using Bitcoin, wire transfers, or gift cards. These are not acceptable ways to pay for your taxes. You can tell it’s a fraud if the person requests money with Western Union transfers, Bitcoin, or iTunes gift cards.
  • They instruct you to pay the “IRS” with the check. All checks should be made payable to “U.S. Treasury,” per IRS instruction. This is so that con artists can substitute “MRS” for “IRS” and add any last name they like.
  • They ask you to share details about your bank or credit card. The IRS will never request your bank account or internet account login information. Callers claiming to be from the IRS differ from those requesting bank account numbers, credit or debit card details, or account login credentials.

How to Know If You’ve Been Victim of Tax Refund Theft

Warning Signs of Identity Theft

  • Your return has already been filed, according to the IRS. The IRS could send you a letter if you mail in your taxes. Alternatively, you could file online and receive a notification.
  • In any case, the IRS will notify you that a return has been submitted using your Social Security number. 
  • There’s a notification about an unknown IRS.gov account. 
  • You receive a notification that a new account has been opened in your name, even if you haven’t created an account at IRS.gov. An unsolicited tax transcript is sent to you. 
  • An official synopsis of your tax return is called a tax transcript.
  • Even if you didn’t ask for one, receiving a transcript could be a red flag that someone else is speaking for you.

Save Yourself From Tax Fraud

Scams abound during tax season. However, you may identify an IRS impersonator and safeguard your funds and private information with a little effort.

Make sure you file your taxes as soon as possible to avoid identity theft and for your safety. The earlier you file, the less time fraudsters will have to pretend to be you. If you use a tax preparer, make sure you thoroughly investigate them and stay away from those who promise to obtain you a sizable refund before even looking at your data. 

And think about Aura’s identity and financial fraud protection service for the utmost peace of mind.

Conclusion

We may all work together to use technology, exercise skepticism, and seek out verified data to increase our defenses against fraud. In the battle against fraud, we must present a unified front. With the aid of these ingenious precautionary measures, we may fool con artists and preserve our hard-earned belongings.

Take care of your hard-earned money! Avoid IRS scams by using our innovative tactics in 2024.  This content reads as if it is human-written. Strengthen your defenses and educate yourself on the most recent strategies employed by con artists. This content reads as if it is human-written. Protect your assets right away to avoid being a victim.  To check out more and prevent yourself from financial fraud, click this link. #DebtPrevention #MoneySecurity