Scammers taking advantage of tax season as filing deadline draws near: F-Secure
Cyber security experts warn of red flags every taxpayer should watch out for
LOS ANGELES, March 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- With less than one month until the federal income tax return deadline, scammers are taking advantage of the millions of Americans who are scrambling to get their returns filed. Taxpayers who are in a rush to get everything done may overlook warning signs and be more likely to fall victim to tax scams, resulting in potentially disastrous consequences. The stakes couldn't be higher – scammers are targeting both money and private data this time of year.
F-Secure's threat intelligence experts are continuously monitoring scam tactics year-round, including the deceitful moves cyber criminals pull during tax season in particular. Here's what every taxpayer needs to be on the watch for:
Phishing, especially via lookalike text and email
The IRS stresses that they will never randomly contact people over text or email – but scammers use AI to make very convincing messages that even the most tech-savvy taxpayers fall for. The imposters mimic official IRS correspondences and notices, often using AI to include the potential victim's real name and address (making the scam all the more convincing).
Then, scammers will use the threat of urgency and legal consequences to intimidate taxpayers into falling for the bait. Bottom line, be very cautious with any unsolicited messages claiming to be from the IRS, financial institutions, law enforcement, or any government organization. If there's any doubt about the validity of the correspondence, contact the IRS directly through their official phone number or website.
Imposters using phone spoofing / deepfake voices
Aside from text and email, cyber criminals are also using deepfake technology to impersonate the voices of IRS personnel, as well as caller ID spoofing to manipulate taxpayers into handing over their personal and financial information. Caller ID spoofing makes it appear as though an "official" number is calling, posing as an IRS agent and using fear and deceit tactics (like threats of fines and jail time).
But it's not just the IRS imposters that taxpayers need to watch out for – scammers are taking full advantage of the season by posing as bank representatives, tax preparers and more. Deepfake voice technology adds another layer to the sophistication of these scams – increasing the likelihood that potential victims fall for the con. Be very wary of any caller inquiring about anything financial and remember that the IRS would never call to demand payment.
Identity theft
Hundreds of millions of Americans are impacted by data breaches each year. Their personal information is stolen or compromised, and cyber criminals exploit this data to file fraudulent tax returns. Once this happens, it can be devastating and take several years (and many massive headaches) to resolve. Use F-Secure's Identity Theft Checker to see if any personal data has been exposed online, and always remember to use multi-factor authentication and strong passwords on accounts.
While these particular tactics are most common during tax season, cyber criminals use this technology to create countless variations of scams. It's crucial to be vigilant year-round when it comes to offering up any personal data over the phone, text, or emails. Learn more about the commonalities between scam tactics and techniques here: F-Secure Scam Kill Chain | FSecure
About F-Secure
F-Secure makes every digital moment more secure, for everyone. We deliver brilliantly simple, frictionless security experiences that make life easier for the tens of millions of people we protect and for our more than 200 service provider partners. For over 35 years, we've led the cyber security industry, inspired by a pioneering spirit born out of a shared commitment to do better by working together.
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SOURCE F-Secure
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