I’m a Cybersecurity Pro: These Are the Top Tax Scams New Filers Should Know To Watch For
Being a new tax filer can feel like juggling a long list of worries: Did you get all your deductions right and claim the proper credits? Did you fill out the right forms? Unfortunately, there’s another concern to add to the mix — falling victim to a tax scam.
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That fear isn’t unfounded. According to The Kaplan Group, the average number of monthly tax scam reports has increased by 323% since 2020. In the digital age, fraudsters have more tools than ever to exploit confusion and anxiety. For first-time filers especially, not knowing what legitimate IRS communication looks like can be costly.
So who should new filers listen to? A cybersecurity expert. MoneyLion knows one: Graphika intelligence specialist Angie Waller. We asked her about the tax scams targeting new filers — and how to avoid them.
Impersonating the IRS
The Internal Revenue Service isn’t the most glamorous federal agency — after all, a show called IRS: Miami never dominated streaming services — so you might be surprised to learn that one popular scam involves impersonating the IRS.
It wouldn’t surprise Angie Waller. If anything, these scams have gotten more sophisticated thanks to the use of generative AI, which, she says, enables scammers to produce more convincing graphics, web pages and even polished translations at scale.
“When applied to IRS impersonation, you might get callers who already know your name, address and partial financial details sourced from data breaches,” she said. “The core mechanics haven't changed, but the sophistication keeps evolving.”
So how do you protect yourself from these cunning fraudsters? The answer is actually quite simple. Waller reminds you that the IRS is very public about the fact that it doesn’t initiate contact by email, text or social media. It also never demands immediate payment or threatens arrest during an initial interaction.
Luring You In With 'Good News'
Not all tax scams rely on fear. Waller says scammers also prey on hope — especially among new filers eager for refunds or credits.
She describes phishing templates that lead with good news, like a refund notification, an unclaimed credit or even just a prompt to verify your filing status. Thanks to generative AI, these templates can look a lot like the real deal — but following their directives can lead to real trouble.
“In marketplace phishing operations we've investigated, fake verification pages included encrypted data claims and official-looking workflow steps designed to make harvesting a Social Security number feel routine,” Waller said.
Despite how convincing these phishing templates can be, if you take the time to check a few details, you can safeguard your data. Remember, legitimate federal websites end in .gov, and while the IRS generally doesn't email taxpayers first, messages that don’t come from a verified .gov domain should be treated as fraudulent.
“For potential tax scams, standard phishing-detection advice applies: Check the sender's domain, verify the destination URL before clicking and be skeptical of any deadline,” she said. “The IRS does not operate on artificial urgency.”
Creating Fake Support Pages
Filing your taxes isn’t always easy, especially if you’re new to the task. Scammers anticipate that new filers will search for help online — and Waller says they optimize fake support pages to surface at the top of search results for queries like “IRS help” or “IRS customer service number.” It’s a newer tactic called SEO spam or injection.
Waller has seen the tactic used against banks and financial institutions, but notes that it’s increasingly showing up during tax season.
“This scam pollutes Google results, and first-time filers and others who don't know to go directly to IRS.gov for support are especially at risk,” she said.
While the prospect of taking your questions directly to the IRS can feel scary for tax newbies, it’s far less harrowing than losing your data — or your money — to fraudsters or identity thieves. If you’re not sure whether you owe money or are due a refund, you can always verify your information securely at IRS.gov.
“As with all suspicious links, never click on them without inspecting them first,” Waller said. “Instead of clicking a link, users may want to try to right-click to inspect the link address, which often reveals telltale signs, such as a spoofed .gov domain rather than a legitimate one.”
The Bottom Line
Scammers may have their sights set on new tax filers, but with a little knowledge, these taxpayers don’t have to be easy targets. Don’t forget that the IRS won’t reach out to you via email, text or phone; they’ll never pressure you or threaten to arrest you right away. You should also always double-check URLs for a legitimate .gov domain before entering personal information.
Above all, if something feels confusing or alarming, slow down. Go directly to IRS.gov — or consult a qualified tax professional — rather than responding to unsolicited messages.
This article was provided by MoneyLion.com for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal, or tax advice.
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