Beware of These Tax Season Scams

Now that spring has sprung and we’ve settled into the new year, it’s time for the next big event: tax season.

At Origin Bank, we know tax season is already stressful. And as it ramps up, so do fraud attempts. Scammers are using email, social media, and fake tax services to trick individuals into giving up sensitive financial information. 

While we'll leave filing advice to the tax professionals, here are some quick security tips to help you protect personal information during tax season.

Common Tax Scams

Scammers find new ways to trick people each year, but staying informed is your best defense.

1. Refund recalculation scam. Scammers know taxpayers want the biggest tax returns possible. That’s where refund recalculating schemes come into play, created to steal your information and hack into your accounts. Scammers send fraudulent text messages claiming to be the IRS, saying taxpayers are due a bigger refund than expected. If you click the link in the message, it takes you to a counterfeit website designed to siphon your personal information. From there, scammers can go on to steal your identity and wreck your credit.

2. Gift card scams. For these scams, fraudsters call victims directly, posing as IRS agents. Over the phone, these thieves might say that you owe back taxes, demanding payment via pre-paid debit cards or gift certificates. In these scenarios, abusive language and threats are commonly used to pressure the victim. More advanced thieves may rig caller IDs to display their name as the IRS, or even recite the last four digits of your SSN. These scams are popular because the transactions are nearly impossible to trace.

3. Identity theft scams. During tax season, scammers use stolen Social Security numbers to file fraudulent tax returns and claim victims’ refunds. There are a few major red flags to look for, all related to communiques from the IRS. If you get a message saying your return has already been filed, a rejection on your e-filing, a new account notification for an account you didn’t create, or an unsolicited tax transcript, it could be a sign that scammers are targeting you.

4. Taxpayer Advocate Service scams. Criminals know tax season is stressful – and they’re ready to prey on your anxiety. That’s the basis of this scheme, where thieves pose as agents of the Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS). Launched to help taxpayers file their returns and protect their rights, TAS is a real IRS resource. However, criminals will make phone calls posing as

TAS employees, attempting to steal your personal information and hack into your accounts.

5. Fake tax preparer scams. Not only are scammers posing as IRS and TAS agents – they’re also pretending to be tax preparers. By posing as tax pros offering discounted or accelerated filing services, these scammers gain access to your private information. Then they can file fake returns under your name or even steal your refund.

How to protect yourself

Tax scams are on the rise. But with the right knowledge and a healthy dose of skepticism, you can keep your personal and financial information safe from scammers.

Starting to file? Keep these tips top of mind:

● Never offer up personal information over email or phone.

● Monitor your bank statements for suspicious activity.

● Sign up for Origin Bank debit alerts to receive text or e-mail notifications about account activity.

● Request an Identity Protection Pin (IP PIN) to safeguard your identity when filing a return.

● Remember the IRS will never call you to demand payment or threaten to involve law enforcement.

● Receive a suspicious call? Hang up and report the call using the IRS Impersonation Scam Reporting form.

● Remember that real TAS employees only reach out if you contact them first.

● Carefully vet tax preparers by confirming their Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN) or reading reviews from trustworthy sources.

Relationship banking that keeps you safe

Filing your taxes effectively isn’t just about getting your paperwork in order – you also need to be aware of common scams and schemes to steer clear of fraud and protect your financial information.

Curious about cybersecurity and protecting your identification? Visit Origin’s Security Center or Personal Fraud Prevention page to learn more about safeguarding accounts and personal information all year round.

Remember to always contact the Origin team at the first sign of an account breach. By staying proactive, you can protect yourself and your accounts from scammers.

Origin Bank does not provide tax, legal, or accounting advice. This material is for informational purposes only. Please consult your tax, legal, and accounting advisors for assistance.