As tax season approaches, the Ohio Department of Taxation is warning residents about a rise in tax scams that attempt to steal personal information, including Social Security numbers and tax return details, through phishing scams, text messages, and fraudulent link schemes. State officials warn that these incidents can lead to identity theft and stolen refunds if taxpayers fail to take precautions.
Ohio Tax Commissioner Patricia Harris said the State of Ohio is seeing more fraudulent activity tied to tax fraud attempts that arrive through email or mobile alerts made to look official. Many cases involve imposter scam tactics, in which scammers pose as state or federal agencies, such as the Internal Revenue Service or the Ohio Attorney General’s Office. These scams often direct residents to respond quickly or confirm account numbers under the threat of delayed filings or disrupted payments.
Criminals frequently send messages that mimic legitimate tax return preparers or authorized tax preparers, urging residents to confirm their tax return status or verify personal information. Some attempts use spear phishing messages designed to capture sensitive data by linking to fake websites that closely resemble official government portals. Others pressure residents to click a fraudulent link claiming to resolve a tax refund issue or update identity verification records.
Scammers have also circulated tax-related scams that try to collect W-2 information from employers or employees. These W-2 phishing scams persist as a significant threat because they enable criminals to file false tax returns or divert expected payments. The Internal Revenue Service continues to warn that these schemes increase sharply at the start of the filing year, when many taxpayers expect to receive essential notices.
The Ohio Attorney General is encouraging residents to regularly review their credit reports and secure all financial accounts that contain personal information. Officials recommend using a secure internet connection when reviewing tax refund updates or accessing OH|TAX eServices, the State of Ohio’s online platform for tax services. Any unexpected request for personal data should be verified independently rather than through the contact details provided in a suspicious message.
The Ohio Attorney General’s Office and federal agencies urge residents to report fraud immediately if they believe they have shared sensitive details with a scammer. The Federal Trade Commission and the U.S. Department of Justice warn that early reporting increases the likelihood of identifying patterns in tax schemes circulating in the region. Authorities also continue to discourage taxpayers from responding to text messages or emails that request identity verification without a clear explanation or reference to a legitimate Identity Verification Letter.
Officials stress that taxpayers should avoid clicking unfamiliar links, sharing financial details, or providing login information during unsolicited contacts. If residents suspect they are being targeted, they should contact the Internal Revenue Service or the Ohio Department of Taxation directly through their published phone numbers or verified official websites.
State and federal agencies say they are increasing public awareness efforts to help residents recognize warning signs and avoid evolving tax fraud operations. The Internal Revenue Service continues to release public updates on new tax-related scams. At the same time, consumer protection teams at the Federal Trade Commission review reports from across the country to identify new patterns.
Taxpayers who believe someone attempted to file a return in their name should immediately contact the Ohio Department of Taxation and consider placing alerts with credit reporting agencies. Officials recommend saving all suspicious messages and documenting how contact was made, which can help investigators track imposter scam operations. Residents are also encouraged to rely on trusted tax advisors or established tax return preparers rather than individuals who initiate contact without prior notice.
By William Mc Lee, Editor-in-Chief & Tax Expert—Get Tax Relief Now
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