Scammers try to copy everything and everyone. They email you pretending to be their boss and ask for money, claiming you that your Microsoft account has been hacked or send a fishing link for fake package delivery.
However, the most common type of modeling scam occurs when bad actors pose as government agencies, Especially IRS,
Treasury Inspector General (Tigta) for tax administration knows about this and has issued a new warning about the text messages implementing the Internal Revenue Service for 2025. I will discuss whatever you need to know to avoid this new tax scam and protect your personal information.
A person is working on his taxes (Kurt “Cybergui” Notson)
New IRS scam alert
To understand the new IRS scam, first check what it is. IRS Covid -19 is sending stimulation payments from $ 1,400 to about 1 million tax filers, which miss them. Initially, these payments were self-downtured, but now the IRS is automatically issuing them to ensure what they are outstanding.
This provision is known as Recovery discount loanAll allows people to claim stimulation payments from 2021. If you were eligible, but did not get money, you can still claim them by filing tax returns by April 15, 2025. The payment will be submitted directly or sent as a paper check using banking information listed on 2023 returns of the payment taxpayer.
However, Tigta is warning that scammers are targeting taxpayers with fraud text messages, as mentioned by TaxactThese fake texts claim that recipients will receive an economic impact from IRS and often ask for sensitive personal information, such as bank account details or your social security number. Scammers use this information to steal their identity or financial data.
IRS has made it clear that eligible taxpayers who did not claim recovery discount credits on their 2021 tax returns will automatically receive their payment; No action is required.
A woman is working on her taxes (Kurt “Cybergui” Notson)
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Fishing scam is more important than ever
Most phones and PCs today have enough protection to keep bad actors in bay, so in almost every case, any method that can reach your device and data, if you give it to them. Hackers send often Fishing link He Apply to a government agencyA person you know or a reliable brand cheats on clicking you. Once you do, malware is installed on your device to quietly assemble the useful data and send hackers. This is why the most important part of being safe online is knowing how to distinguish the legitimate and scam messages between emails or calls. For example, you can easily explain whether any communication is focused on the following major factors from IRS or scam.
- Type of communication: IRS will never contact you through the text for things like economic impact payment or financial information requests; They will send a letter or notice through mail or fax.
- Suspected link: Government websites always end in “.gov”, while scam texts may have links ending in “.com” or “.NET.”
- Demand or danger: Be cautious with messages that create urgency or danger and seek any disparity or mispieling in the link.
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10 ways to stay safe from scammers that implement government agencies
1. Install strong antivirus software: Since scammers rapidly replicate government agencies like IRS through fishing links and fake messages, it is important to protect itself from these dangers to install strong antivirus software. This security can also make you alert for email and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe. Antivirus software can detect suspected links and block, warn you about potentially harmful websites and prevent malware from being installed on your device. Get my pics for the best 2025 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices,
2. Always verify the authenticity of unwanted communication: If you receive an unexpected email, lesson or phone call that claims to be from a government agency, it is necessary to confirm its authenticity. Scammers often create a sense of urge to dodge you in immediate action. To verify, always use official contact details from government websites. Avoid clicking on any link in the message and reach the agency directly to confirm whether communication is valid.
3. If you are uncertain then reach directly: When you are uncertain about the validity of a message or request, contact the government agency directly using verified contact details. Never respond to the message or click on any link inside it. Call or go on the official website of the agency, you can ensure that you are communicating with authorized delegates and avoid scammers that apply government officials.
4. Use strong, unique passwords to protect your accounts: One of the best ways to protect your sensitive information from scammers is to use strong, unique passwords for each of your account. Avoid using easily estimated passwords such as “password 123” or “qwerty”. Instead, create a complex password that includes a mixture of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers and special characters.
In addition, consider using a password manager to keep the track of your credentials and make sure you are using separate passwords for each account. Find out more about me 2025 Best Expert-Recipe Password Managers,
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5. Monitor your tax account: Check your IRS account regularly www.irs.gov To confirm the status of your tax return, verify that no unauthorized tax is filled and update personal and contact information as required.
6. Report of suspected tax-related activities immediately: If you suspect any scam or fraud activity, it is important to report it immediately to the authorities concerned. Whether you have received a suspicious message or believe that your information has been compromised, it helps prevent further losses. IRS and other agencies have channels dedicated to reporting fraud, so as soon as you can take action to protect yourself and others from these schemes.
7. Invest in personal data removal services: Use a personal data removal service to remove your personal information from data brokers and People-Fiinder sites, which scammers often use to find phone numbers and email addresses. 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,
8. Use direct deposits for refund: This is the safest way to achieve your tax refund, reducing the risk of mail theft, forgery or cheating check cashing.
9. Beware of bad websites: Instead of clicking on the link with email or advertisement, type your actual tax prep site address. Check the domain before entering any confidential information.
10. Use an identity theft protection service: An identity theft protection service provides personal and financial surveillance and will try to help you if your identity ever compromises. Identification companies can monitor personal information like your social security number, phone number and email addresses and can alert you if it is being sold on the dark web or is being used to open an account. They can also help you in freezing your bank and credit card accounts to prevent further unauthorized use by criminals. See my tips and see the best pics to protect yourself from identity theft,
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The tax season is here, and with it the scams that implement IRS and target taxpayers have increased. The good news is that it is easier to present these scams often. If you receive a text message from IRS, then asking you to provide personal information, this is a red flag; This is not from them. Be especially cautious from any link included in the message. A valid URL will always end in “.Gov”. However, scammers can try to trick you by changing the link slightly, so look closely for any misplay or strange characters. If there is doubt, always verify through official channels.
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