Tax scammers target residents with fake IRS calls, emails during busy season

LENEXA, Kan. (KCTV) - Tax season brings a flurry of activity, and criminals are capitalizing on the chaos with increasingly sophisticated schemes targeting residents nationwide.

Fraudsters are reaching out to unsuspecting taxpayers through phone calls, emails, and text messages, impersonating the Internal Revenue Service and other government authorities in an effort to steal personal information and money, authorities warn.

Lenexa police warn that common tax scams include calls or messages demanding immediate payment through gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency such as bitcoin. Scammers also send emails claiming to offer refunds while requesting sensitive financial information, and they frequently pitch ‘tax relief’ or debt resolution services that require substantial upfront fees.

Residents should watch for several red flags, including threatening language, requests for Social Security numbers, bank account details, or personal identification numbers, and unsolicited contacts from unknown sources that insist on immediate action.

The IRS emphasizes that it never demands payment via email, text message, or phone call. Residents who receive suspicious tax-related communications should verify the contact by calling the IRS directly at 1-800-829-1040.

To protect against fraud, authorities recommend keeping personal information private and using only trusted tax preparers or established platforms when filing taxes.

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Anyone who believes they have been targeted by a tax scam should report it immediately to the IRS and their local police department.