Illinois Comptroller Warns of Tax Scams This Filing Season

Susana Mendoza alerts taxpayers to rising fraud targeting personal data and refunds

Published on Mar. 7, 2026

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Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza is warning taxpayers about a surge in tax-related scams this filing season, including imposters posing as IRS and state tax officials. Mendoza advises residents to be cautious of suspicious emails, texts, and calls requesting personal information or promising refunds, as these are often attempts to steal identities and money.

Why it matters

Tax season is a prime time for scammers to target vulnerable taxpayers, with 23% of those surveyed reporting losses from tax scams averaging $1,020. Mendoza's warning aims to help Illinois residents protect themselves from these growing fraud schemes that can result in significant financial and identity theft losses.

The details

Common tax scams include thieves posing as IRS or Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) officials, sending messages that appear official but contain links to steal personal data. Scammers may also claim taxpayers are owed refunds or owe back taxes, trying to pressure them into providing sensitive information. The rise of AI has made it even harder for people to distinguish real from fraudulent communications.

  • The warning comes as the 2026 tax filing season is underway.

The players

Susana Mendoza

The Illinois Comptroller, who is alerting taxpayers about the surge in tax-related scams.

Internal Revenue Service (IRS)

The federal agency that scammers are impersonating in attempts to steal personal data and money from taxpayers.

Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR)

The state tax agency that scammers are also impersonating in fraudulent communications.

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What they’re saying

“This is the time of year when you're dealing with a lot of personal information including Social Security and bank account numbers. You've got to be careful not to fall victim to con artists looking to steal your identity and your money.”

— Susana Mendoza, Illinois Comptroller (riverbender.com)

What’s next

The IRS has launched a website to report tax-related fraud, and the Illinois Comptroller's office offers a 'Find My Refund' tool to check the status of state tax refunds.

The takeaway

With tax scams on the rise, Illinois taxpayers must be vigilant in protecting their personal information and verifying the legitimacy of any communications claiming to be from the IRS, IDOR, or other tax authorities before providing sensitive data or taking any requested actions.