Dirty Dozen

The Dirty Dozen is a list that the IRS compiles of the most common scams that taxpayers might come across. Taxpayers might come across these scammers at any time of the year but it is most popular during the tax season.

As email and text scams persistently target taxpayers, the IRS and its Security Summit partners emphasized the importance of remaining alert against these threats. Scammers and identity thieves employ various tactics, such as luring recipients into clicking on untrustworthy links, sharing personal and financial details, or downloading disruptive software onto their devices.

Taxpayers and tax professionals need to be aware of these fraudulent communications and stay protected. There are primarily two types of ways scammers target: through phishing or smishing. Phishing is primarily done through fraudulent emails that are made to look like they are coming from the IRS but they are composed of fake information and coming from a scammer. Smishing is primarily a text message that is sent to an individual’s smartphone that is often informing the individual that there is something wrong with their account.

It is important to be informed and stay alert of these scammers. Avoid clicking on any unwanted communication that looks like it may be coming from the IRS. Additionally, make sure to always double-check the email address or phone number before replying to an unwanted message.

If you or someone is targeted by a scam and need help filing your taxes, please reach out to the Professionals at The Center for Financial, Legal, & Tax Planning Inc., at (618) 997-3436.