Every year as tax season rolls around, so do the scammers. They know people are stressed, busy and worried about getting their returns right, and they take full advantage of that. What makes these scams so effective is how believable they sound in the moment. A phone call that claims to be from the IRS, a text message warning of “legal action,” or an email demanding immediate payment can shake even the calmest person. But understanding how these scams work—and what the real IRS will never do—goes a long way toward keeping yourself and the people around you safe. Fraudsters rely on pressure, fear, and urgency. They want you to react before you think. Many of these calls follow a predictable pattern. They often begin with a sudden accusation regarding back taxes, errors in tax filings, or that you are under investigation for tax matters. These calls often include a threat of arrest, wage garnishment, legal action or license suspension. The caller then follows up with a demand that you pay immediately to remedy the matter through wire transfers, providing your banking information or even gift cards. The caller also refuses to let you hang up as they do not want you to have time to verify that their call is in fact a fraudulent call. These tactics work because they’re designed to bypass logic and hit your emotions. Even people who know better can get caught off guard when someone sounds authoritative and urgent. Multiple times a week I am receiving automated calls from “The Tax Resolution Unit” indicating that they can help me with my tax problem. I know this is a fraud, but cannot seem to get off of their robocalls. One of the most important protections you have is knowing the IRS’s actual communication rules. The IRS does not: • Call out of the blue to demand immediate payment. • Threaten arrest or law enforcement action over the phone. • Ask for payment through gift cards, Venmo, Zelle, PayPal or wire transfers. • Demand that you stay on the phone while you make a payment. • Send texts or emails with links asking you to verify personal information. The IRS typically communicates by mail first, and even then, the tone is formal—not aggressive, not panicked and not threatening. Tax scams evolve every year, but several patterns show up again and again. These include: • Impersonation calls — Someone claims to be an IRS agent, often using a fake badge number or spoofed caller ID; • Refund scams — You’re told you’re owed a refund, but you must “verify” your bank account or social security number; • Phishing emails — Messages that look official but link to fake websites designed to steal your information; • “Tax relief” companies — Some are legitimate, but many promise impossible results, charge huge fees and disappear; • Identity theft — Scammers file a tax return in your name before you do, hoping to steal your refund. Each of these scams preys on the same thing: the fear of doing something wrong with your taxes. If you receive a call of this type the best actions to take include pausing before you react. Scammers want you to panic, so take a deep breath and slow down. What I personally do is simply hang up. Although it seems rude to hang up, these folks are trying to scam you, so rudeness is justifiable. It is also important to never share personal information such as social security numbers, bank accounts and such with any unknown person over the phone. If you still are concerned, you can check your IRS account online to see your balance, tax history and any notices directly from the IRS at IRS.gov. Tax scams aren’t going away, but awareness is one of the strongest defenses we have. When you understand how these schemes work and what real IRS communication looks like, you’re in a much better position to protect yourself and the people you care about. Staying calm, staying skeptical and staying informed turns tax season from a moment of vulnerability into a moment of confidence. Paul Pahoresky is the owner of PRP Associates. He can be reached at 440-974-1040 extension 214 or at [email protected]. Consult your tax advisor for your specific situation for additional information and guidance on these topics. ...read more read less