3 Tax Scams Self-Filers Should Be on the Lookout for, According to a Cybersecurity Expert
If you’re self-filing your taxes this year, you’ve already got a lot to think about. The last thing you need is to worry about being scammed. Unfortunately, some scams are designed to target tax filers who are more vulnerable because they’re working without the protection of a professional tax preparer.
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How can you protect yourself from these digital tricksters? You talk to a cybersecurity professional.
Don’t have one on call? MoneyLion can help. We recently spoke with Tracy Lamourie, a founding board member of the John Parkinson Family Foundation, which works to combat scams targeting seniors. Her insights are useful for anyone looking to protect themselves from scams, though.
Lamourie shared the top three scams self-filers should look out for.
Phishing Emails Impersonating Tax Authorities
Lamourie says phishing emails are the most common tax scams self-filers need to watch for.
“Scammers impersonate the IRS or government agents because people are already expecting to hear from them during tax season — which means their guard is already lowered,” she said. “Any message asking you to click a link to ‘fix’ or ‘confirm’ something should be treated as suspicious.”
Why are these scams so effective? They create a sense of urgency. Scammers know you’re worried about filing your taxes correctly and avoiding penalties.
“They know exactly how people behave when they’re filing on their own. People are already a bit unsure and confused,” Lamourie said. “So scammers don’t create new ways for you to behave. They know how you’re going to behave, and they jump into things they know you’re already going to be doing.”
Without a tax professional working on your behalf, there’s nobody to act as a buffer against these phony messages. A legitimate tax professional would likely remind you that the IRS doesn’t initiate contact by email, text message or phone call. Instead, it typically sends official correspondence by U.S. mail.
If you get an email that sets your spidey senses tingling, you can also go directly to the IRS website or call the agency using a verified phone number before clicking on anything.
Fake Tax Refund Notices
Who doesn’t want to hear they’re getting a tax refund? Everyone does — at least, that’s what scammers are betting on. That’s why Lamourie says fake refund notices are another effective scam targeting self-filers.
“Everyone wants good news, so people click before they stop to think. Scammers exploit that instinct by making the message look official and time-sensitive,” she said. “If an email claims you have a refund waiting and urges you to act immediately, that urgency is a major red flag.”
She explains these scams are particularly insidious because they don’t look like threats on the surface — quite the opposite.
“They look like a correction, or something you simply need to pay attention to,” she said. “That’s what makes them so easy to fall for.”
Fake Payment Demands and Penalty Threats
Fear is a powerful motivator. Scammers know this, so they incorporate fear-based tactics into their strategies. Lamourie urges vigilance about “official-looking emails warning that you’ve missed a deadline, owe a penalty or are at risk of arrest.”
Unfortunately, these emails are easy to fake and designed to scare you into responding before you can think. She adds that, in addition to self-filers, seniors are especially vulnerable since they’ve spent most of their lives trusting official communications. Scammers exploit that trust by creating convincing versions of these documents.
“The biggest mistake you can make is engaging with the email at all,” she said. “So don’t reply, don’t click any links. Exit the thread entirely and go directly to the official website or call the tax authority to verify.”
Lamourie reminds readers that no legitimate government agency, including the IRS, will require you to act instantly. You’ll always have time to stop, think and verify the request through official channels.
The Bottom Line
Unfortunately, tax time brings its share of scammers targeting self-filers. Knowing how these fraudsters operate can help you reduce another source of tax stress and keep your focus where it belongs: filing your taxes accurately and on time.
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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