What’s happening: Phone scams claiming you owe back taxes are on the rise.
Here’s why: The IRS began accepting tax returns on January 26. That spurred con artists to prey on taxpayers, impersonating IRS agents or reps of a “resolution oversight company” or “tax mediation and resolution agency.” Their goal: to steal personal information, like Social Security numbers, or charge bogus tax debt relief fees, according to the Federal Trade Commission.
What it means for you: The IRS will always reach out by mail first, so tax-related calls, text messages, and emails are likely phony. Consider filing early to thwart would-be fraudsters—they can’t submit a return in your name and claim your refund if you’ve already filed.
