⚠️ Protect your money this tax season!

by Michelle Tabler, AARP Alaska Fraud Education Expert

As we head into tax season, let's talk about a scam that's been making the rounds: the IRS Imposter Scam.

Did you know that in 2023, imposter scams were the second most reported type of fraud? The Federal Trade Commission reported an astounding $2.668 billion lost to these scams, with over 850,000 incidents! Among these, government imposters were the most common, but scammers also pretended to be romantic interests, relatives needing help, or technical support providers.

As you start collecting tax documents and readying to file, be on the lookout for IRS impersonators. You might get emails suggesting you're due a tax refund or asking you to open a link to view a tax refund statement. They could ask for personal identification info to "process your refund." Here's the deal: any text or email about a tax refund is a scam!

Another tactic scammers may use is to claim you owe money to the IRS and need to pay right away, sometimes threatening arrest, massive debt and late fees, or other consequences. They'll often ask for payments via bank transfers, cryptocurrency, or pre-paid gift cards.

Remember, the IRS will not contact you by text, email, or social media. They won’t ask for personal or financial information through these means either. Instead, they’ll mail you a letter or notice before calling or emailing.

To avoid falling for an IRS Imposter Scam, never click on links in emails or texts, as they could expose your device to malware or direct you to fake websites to steal your information. Additionally, don’t open email or text attachments. Be wary of any urgency, pressure or threats forcing you give out personal or financial information and always watch out for emails with spelling or grammar mistakes. Instead of trusting unsolicited messages, check the official IRS website at irs.gov to see if you are due a refund. If you suspect a scam, you can report it to the AARP Fraud Watch Network Helpline at 877-908-3360.

If you need help with tax preparation, the AARP Foundation Tax Aide program is a trusted resource. AARP Foundation Tax-Aide provides tax assistance to anyone, free of charge, with a focus on taxpayers who are over 50 and have low to moderate income. You don't need to be an AARP member to use the service. To find a site near you, search “AARP Tax-Aide” in your browser or find Alaska-specific information at www.aarp.org/ak.

Remember: if you can spot a scam, you can stop a scam!