Key Takeaways
- The IRS does not contact taxpayers by phone, text, or email; initial communication is always by mail.
- Scam calls often use urgency and fear to push individuals into sharing personal or financial information.
- Official-sounding company names do not mean a call is legitimate; many scams use fabricated or misused identities.
- Never provide sensitive information or payment over the phone in response to an unsolicited tax-related call.
- When in doubt, contact your accountant or tax professional before taking any action.
In a recent appearance on Trust Talks with BBB Connecticut (Episode 37), Bailey Scarano partner and CPA, Dominic Scarano, discussed what taxpayers should be paying attention to this season.
One point stood out right away: tax scams are not only increasing, but they’re becoming more convincing.
Tax season already comes with enough stress, and unfortunately, it also brings a predictable spike in scam activity. Right now, individuals are receiving calls and voicemails from people claiming to represent the IRS or a “tax resolution” firm. These messages often sound legitimate, referencing missing filings, unresolved balances, or accounts flagged for review.
They’re not.
Understanding how these scams work and how the IRS actually communicates can help you avoid a costly mistake.
How These Scams Typically Work
If you take away one thing, it should be this: “The IRS does not initiate contact by phone, text, or email.” Scarano emphasized. “If there is a real issue with your taxes, you’ll receive a notice in the mail.”
Yes, the IRS’s primary method of communication is still snail mail. So, if someone calls you out of the blue about a tax problem, that alone should raise concern.
While the script will change, most tax scams follow a similar pattern.
- A sense of urgency: “Final notice,” “account flagged,” or “immediate action required”
- Vague but alarming language: References to missing filings or unresolved balances without specifics
- Requests for personal information: Social Security numbers, banking details, or login credentials
- Pressure to act quickly: Demands for immediate payment
The urgency is intentional. As Scarano explained: “They want to scare individuals. Anytime anyone mentions the IRS, people tend to get very nervous.” The goal is simple: get you to react before you have time to think.
Why They’re So Effective & What You Should Do
Any mention of the IRS tends to make people uneasy. Scammers know that.
They rely on that initial reaction to keep you on the phone, build credibility, and eventually ask for information. Even cautious people can get pulled in if the message sounds convincing enough.
Adding to the confusion, scammers often use official-sounding names like “Tax Review Unit” or “American Tax Consultants.” In some cases, they even use the name of a real business without authorization.
If you receive one of these calls or messages:
- Hang up immediately
- Do not provide any personal information
- Do not return the call
That’s why the safest move is often the simplest. “Do not address this at all; hang up the phone,” Scarano advised. “And never give them any information over the phone.”
If you’re unsure whether something is legitimate, the safest next step is to contact your accountant or tax professional. They can confirm whether there’s an actual issue and guide you on what to do next.
A Simple Way to Protect Yourself
Tax scams aren’t new, but they’re getting more sophisticated and more aggressive during filing season.
The good news is that they’re also predictable.
Once you understand how legitimate tax communication works, it becomes much easier to recognize when something isn’t right. And in most cases, the safest move is also the simplest one: don’t engage.