The tax season is on us, and when many of you are preparing to file your returns, it is important to know about the world that is sometimes developed.
This year, it is informed and more important than before on your guard.
New research by Cyber Security Company McAffe has highlighted how common these scams are and what kind of scam they are, reveal some amazing trends and highlight the importance of saving themselves.
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Scam written on tax forms (Kurt “Cybergui” Notson)
How Americans paid file and tax in 2025
Before diving in scams, let’s see how people are handling their taxes these days. McAfee Research indicates that:
- More than half of Americans (53%) are e-Fillers, tax software or IRS are taking online route through free file
- About one -third (31%) rely on professionals prepared
- Vishal majority (60%) handle payments and are electronically refunded
- A large part (52%) still receives its W-2s and 1099s in the old-fashioned way: in the mail
- While other (31%) log in to the payroll service portals (eg, ADP, Workade, Peches) to reconstruct them.
Depiction of the means of submission of tax (Kurt “Cybergui” Notson)
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Unstable reality of tax scam
The reality is that tax scams are more prevalent as we can like to accept. One of about four persons (23%) says that they know someone or personally have fallen victim to such scams. Let’s break who is getting affected and how.
- Young adult (18-24): This group, surprisingly, is most likely to be victims of scams. They are also likely to compromise their information through Instagram and WhatsApp.
- Old adults (65–74): At the other end of the spectrum, older adults are least likely to face tax scams.
- Gender difference: Young men are more likely to lose money for scams than young women.
And when people lose money, the amount can be sufficient:
- 81% lost more than $ 500
- 51% lost more than $ 1,000
- Lost more than $ 10,000 over a 5%
Scam written on a tablet surrounded by cash (Kurt “Cybergui” Notson)
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Demand and threats: what scammers want
Scammers use a variety of strategies to give people their money or personal information. Research shows that many people have received suspicious messages claiming to be from IRS or State Tax Authority:
- Phone call (30%)
- Text message (27%)
- Facebook/Facebook Messenger (5%)
- WhatsApp (3%)
- Instagram/Instagram Direct Message (2%)
These messages often include demands:
- Social Security Number or Tax Identification Number (40%)
- Immediate payment of back tax (27%)
- Bank account number (18%)
- Credit/Debit Card Information (17%)
It is important to note that IRS usually does not start contact through phone, text or social media to demand immediate payment.
A woman is preparing her taxes (Kurt “Cybergui” Notson)
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Which scam is being targeted?
Different age groups are targeted with different scams. Here is a breakdown.
- Old adults (65–74): The group is heavily targeted by payment scams, such as demand for taxes or fake tax return plans.
- Middle Ages Group (35-54): This group is targeted by identity theft and mixing scams, such as request for social security number or demand for tax payment.
- Young adult (18-24): Scammers often want personal information from this group, such as date of birth and bank account number.
A woman is working on her taxes (Kurt “Cybergui” Notson)
Cost of falling for scam
Many have obtained emails or texts about their “tax refund” or “tax refund e-state” with a link. A large part of the people (39%) clicked on these links. It is certainly worrying about how many people fall for these scams.
What is Artificial Intelligence (AI)?
About 40% of people who receive a scam message or call the call actually sends money. Small adults are particularly weak; More than half of the children from 18- to 24 years know someone who has paid. When people click on those breathtaking links about tax refunds or e-statues, they are playing a risky game: about 40% of people click on that email or text message, and this is the place where scammers can actually get you.
A woman is working on her taxes (Kurt “Cybergui” Notson)
AI role in future of tax scam
Looking forward, the AI scam is also making scary. 87% of people are concerned about the role of AI in creating realistic tax scams, but only 40% believe that they can see a deepfech from IRS. As a result, many people (41%) are other estimates of actual tax communication. In fact, more than half of the people say that the scam messages by receiving them this year are more sophisticated or realistic than the previous year. It is no wonder that most people are concerned about tax fraud this season.
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Abhishek Carnic, head of McAffe’s danger research, said, “Tax scams are becoming smarter, and many people are using AI so that they can convince their tricks more than ever, when people feel the most pressure to file quickly.” “While not every scam does not use AI, we predict more sophisticated, social engineering-focused tax fraud strategy because AI tool increases, including fraudulent emails, phone calls, which use AI-borne audio and fake prep websites, which makes it easy to slip to the guard filer.”
How to protect yourself from tax scam
Okay, the scam landscape looks very serious. What can you do to stay safe? Here are some practical steps to protect their protect.
1. Doubt unwanted contact: Remember that IRS will never contact you through phone, email, lesson or social media to demand immediate payment or request personal information.
2. Avoid clicking on suspicious links; Use strong antivirus software: Do not click on the link in emails or texts from unknown sectors. The best way to protect yourself from malicious links that establishes malware, potentially reaches your personal information, is to install antivirus software on all your devices. This security can also make you alert for email and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe. Get my pics for the best 2025 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices,
3. Protect your personal information: Carefully secure your social security number, bank account details and other sensitive data.
4. Create strong, unique passwords: Be sure to use strong passwords on financial and tax websites. Ensure that each password is unique, especially for financial accounts. Find out more about me 2025 Best Expert-Recipe Password Managers,
5. Enable two-factor authentication: This adds an additional layer of safety to your accounts that will prevent a hacker from entering your accounts.
6. Invest in personal data removal services: These services monitors your personal information and alert you to potential fraud. While no service promises to remove all your data from the Internet, if you want to continuously monitor and automate the process of removing your information from hundreds of sites continuously over a long period, a removal service is very good. See my top pics for data removal services here,
7. Do not answer texts/calls from unknown sources: Whatever you do, do not respond to texts/calls from unknown sources.
8. Trust your intestine: If something is felt, it is probably. Contact the IRS or your State Tax Authority directly and verify the information independently.
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Kurt’s major takeaways
Tax weather is not a stressful time filled with anxiety. To inform, by taking simple steps to be on your guard and protect yourself, you can confidently navigate the landscape and avoid being victims of these scams. Be doubtful, be careful and always remember that when it comes to your taxes, it is always better to be safe.
Are you or someone such a tax target by a scam? Write us and tell us Cyberguy.com/Contact.
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