03/04/2026
Tax season scams rise: Experts warn of fake IRS messages as refunds grow
Tax refunds are up 14% due to recent law changes, but scammers are targeting this windfall with fake refund notifications.
With taxpayers seeing larger refunds so far this season, consumer experts are warning that scammers are trying to cash in.
Early filing data from the Internal Revenue Service show the average tax refund is about 14% higher compared to this time last year.
But experts said bigger payouts can also bring bigger risks
Why refunds may be higher this year
New tax changes signed into law last year, often referred to as the “Big Beautiful Bill," have created additional opportunities for certain taxpayers to claim more money.
Mark Steber with Jackson Hewitt said some filers may benefit from:
New deductions on tips
Deductions on overtime income
An additional $6,000 senior bonus for taxpayers 65 and older
We are expecting not only bigger refunds, but a lot bigger refunds,” Steber said.
But that extra money may also attract fraudsters.
“If they know people are getting more money than in the past, they’ll try to trick people by promising the best refund but requiring a bigger sum up front,” Juliana O’Rork, with the Better Business Bureau, explained.
The tax scam you need to watch for
The Federal Trade Commission is warning about a rise in emails and text messages claiming your refund has been processed or approved.
The message may look official and ask you to click a link to “verify your identity.” Experts said that the link is where scammers attempt to steal your personal and financial information.
O’Rork said the key thing to remember: the IRS does not reach out this way.
“No one from the IRS is going to contact you out of the blue,” she said. “If anything, they will send you a paper letter in the mail that will have your tax information.”
What to do if you get a suspicious message
Consumer advocates recommend the following:
Do not click any links
Do not share personal information
Do not pay money upfront for a promised refund
Look up the IRS contact information yourself and call directly
“If someone is pressuring you to pay, saying you owe back taxes and promising a refund, hang up,” O’Rork said. “Call the IRS directly. They can tell you if that person was real or not.”
If you’ve already shared your information
If you believe you may have fallen victim to a tax scam:
Freeze your credit immediately
Report the incident to the IRS
File a complaint with the FTC
Alert the Better Business Bureau
As refunds rise this tax season, experts said staying cautious could help ensure the money meant for you doesn’t end up in the wrong hands.
