The Internal Revenue Service is alerting taxpayers about a surge in IRS email scam attempts as criminals step up activity during the 2025 tax season. Officials say these schemes are designed to trick people into handing over personal or financial information, often with messages that look convincing enough to pass for official notices about a tax refund or overdue tax return.
The IRS placed phishing and related cons at the top of its 2025 “Dirty Dozen” list of tax scams, underscoring how widespread the threat has become. The agency said these efforts target both everyday taxpayers and tax professionals, using emails, phone calls, and social media channels to reach victims.
A typical phishing email may feature the IRS logo, a formal subject line, and an email claiming the recipient qualifies for a payment. Others threaten legal trouble if a supposed debt is not settled. Many of these scams include requests for bank account information, access to other financial accounts, or PINs. Once victims have entered confidential information, criminals may use it to steal money, redirect refunds, or gain similar access information that opens more doors into their financial accounts.
Scammers have also adapted old tricks. One persistent tactic is the IRS phone scam, in which a fake caller ID shows “IRS,” and the caller demands immediate payment. Victims are often told to pay using a prepaid debit card, wire transfer, or another specific payment method that is hard to reverse.
The agency warns that such calls are fraudulent. The IRS does not initiate contact by phone, mail, social media, or unsolicited text messages demanding money or credit card details. Any website link shared in these messages should be treated with caution, especially if it asks for confidential information or directs the taxpayer to log in outside IRS.gov.
Beyond individuals, criminals are increasingly targeting tax professionals. Fraudsters often pose as prospective clients, sending messages with attachments or scanned images carrying hidden malware. Once opened, these files can compromise client data and trigger widespread identity theft.
When such confidential information is exposed, criminals may file fake tax returns, misdirect refunds, or open new accounts. This hurts victims financially and undermines confidence in the tax system. For professionals, losing control of valuable information can damage reputation and practice.
The IRS advises people to treat any suspicious email with care. The agency recommends leaving the email as is, not clicking the link, and forwarding it to phishing@irs.gov. Taxpayers should also forward screenshots to the Treasury Inspector General or the Federal Trade Commission and notify local police if they have already shared details or entered confidential information.
The IRS reminds the public that its official websites always display a locked padlock icon and use the .gov domain. Any email claiming to be from the IRS that includes requests for credit, money, or unusual payments should be flagged immediately. The agency emphasizes that it never asks for a specific payment method, such as a wire transfer or prepaid debit card.
Officials also caution that falling for these traps often removes valuable information from circulation, putting more people at risk. Simple steps—such as checking the source of a message, using secure logins, and keeping tax records offline—help avoid falling victim.
The consequences of these scams go beyond individual losses. Criminals routinely file fraudulent tax returns to capture refunds, leaving legitimate filers waiting months to resolve disputes. Some use stolen data to open financial accounts, while others immediately push their victims to pay fake balances.
The IRS notes that once crooks have similar access information, they often exploit it across social media or social media channels to run further scams. Every new breach of confidential information increases the risk of identity theft and lost money.
By following IRS guidance, verifying official mail, and promptly filing taxes, taxpayers can reduce exposure and keep control over their financial data during this tax season.
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