The promise of a tax refund can be exciting, but it might also be the bait in a sinister trap lurking in your inbox. As cybercriminals grow bolder and more sophisticated, deceptive emails disguised as official IRS communications are flooding inboxes, preying on unsuspecting taxpayers. These scams aren’t just clever—they’re convincing, and falling for one could cost you far more than your refund. With fraudulent schemes on the rise, especially around tax season, it’s more important than ever to stay vigilant. Before you click, open, or respond to anything that claims to come from the IRS, here’s what you need to know to spot the red flags—and stop a scam before it starts.
Scammers Pose as IRS with Convincing Email Scheme
A new phishing scam is making the rounds, and consumer protection site Scamicide is sounding the alarm. The scheme involves emails that appear to come from the IRS, complete with official-looking formatting and a tempting promise: a tax refund of exactly $825.71.
At first glance, the message looks legitimate. It includes a PDF attachment designed to mimic IRS stationery and a link that supposedly leads to the refund claim process. But don’t be fooled. There are several telltale signs this message is a fake—and a dangerous one.
For starters, the IRS does not initiate contact with taxpayers through email, phone calls, or text messages. The agency communicates primarily through physical mail. Another red flag? The sender’s email address isn’t connected to the IRS in any way, and the message addresses recipients only as “Dear Taxpayer,” rather than using their actual name.
If this email shows up in your inbox, do not click anything. Instead, delete the message and report it to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) via their official website.
If you genuinely believe you might be due a refund, go directly to the official IRS website (irs.gov) and use their “Where’s My Refund?” tool. Do not use links from the suspicious email.
In addition, keep an eye on your financial accounts and credit report for any unauthorized activity. If you believe your personal information has been compromised, consider placing a fraud alert with the major credit bureaus.
How to Protect Yourself from Email Scams
The IRS refund email scam is just one example of how cybercriminals exploit trust and urgency to trick people into revealing sensitive information. While this particular scheme poses as a government agency, email scams come in countless forms—posing as banks, delivery services, tech companies, and even friends or colleagues. The tactics vary, but the goal is always the same: to steal your data, your money, or your identity.
To guard yourself against email scams of any kind, keep these best practices in mind:
- Be skeptical of unexpected or too-good-to-be-true messages. Scammers often promise money, prizes, or refunds—or fabricate crises—to get you to act quickly without thinking.
- Verify before you trust. If an email claims to be from a company, institution, or agency, don’t click on any links. Instead, go to their official website or contact them through known channels to confirm.
- Examine the sender’s email address and the URL of any links. Scammers often use addresses or domains that are slightly altered or unfamiliar, hoping you won’t notice the difference.
- Avoid opening attachments from unknown sources. These could contain malware designed to steal your personal data or hijack your device.
- Don’t share personal or financial information over email. Legitimate organizations will never ask you to provide Social Security numbers, passwords, or bank details via email.
- Use spam filters and security software. Enable email filters, firewalls, and anti-virus programs to help catch suspicious messages before they reach your inbox.
- Report phishing attempts. If you suspect a scam, forward the email to reportphishing@apwg.org or the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
Source: CBS4