By REBECCA RUTHERFORD
For the Los Alamos Daily Post
It is that magical time of year when Americans gather their receipts, promise themselves they will be more organized next year, and log into tax software with mild dread. Unfortunately, it is also the time of year when scammers come out of hibernation.
Tax season is the prime hunting ground for cyber criminals. People are expecting messages from accountants, banks, and the IRS. That makes it easier for scammers to slip fake messages into the mix and hope someone clicks before thinking twice.
Every year the same tricks come back with a few updates.
The “IRS Text Message”
The real IRS almost never contacts people by text message. Yet every tax season phones start lighting up with messages claiming you are owed a refund, owe a penalty, or need to verify information immediately.
These texts often include a link to a fake website that looks like a government portal. The goal is simple. Get you to enter your Social Security number, banking information, or login credentials.
If you get a text from “the IRS,” assume it is fake. The agency does not start serious conversations about your taxes with a random link.
The Refund Bait
Another classic is the “Your refund is ready” email.
The message claims there was an issue processing your return and asks you to log in and confirm details to release your refund. The link leads to a convincing fake tax portal designed to capture your information.
Once scammers have your Social Security number and other personal details, they may try filing a fraudulent tax return in your name before you do.
Nothing ruins your day like discovering someone else already claimed your refund.
Fake Tax Prep Emails
Scammers also impersonate tax software companies and accounting firms. You might receive a message saying your account needs verification or that a document is waiting for signature.
The email may even include a PDF attachment or a login page that looks nearly identical to the real thing.
If something seems urgent or unexpected, do not click the link. Go directly to the company’s official website and log in there.
The Phone Call From “The IRS”
This one has been around for years and still catches people.
Someone calls claiming to be from the IRS and says you owe taxes immediately. They may threaten arrest, license suspension, or other dramatic consequences if you do not pay right away.
The caller often demands payment through gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency. That alone should tell you everything you need to know.
The IRS does not demand payment through Apple gift cards, or any of those methods.
How to Protect Yourself
A few simple habits go a long way during tax season.
File your taxes early if possible. The sooner you file, the harder it is for someone else to submit a fraudulent return in your name.
Use strong passwords and two factor authentication on tax software accounts.
Avoid clicking links in unexpected emails or text messages about taxes. Instead go directly to the official website.
And keep an eye on your credit reports and financial accounts for anything unusual.
A Final Thought
Living in Los Alamos means being surrounded by people who can model chemical reactions for fun. Yet even very smart people get caught by scams when the message arrives at the right moment.
During tax season scammers are counting on stress, urgency, and the hope of a refund to make people click before thinking.
Take a breath. Verify before you trust any message claiming to be the IRS. And remember that if the IRS ever demands payment in iTunes gift cards, it is not the IRS.
Editor’s note: Rebecca Rutherford works in information technology at Los Alamos National Laboratory.