Tax Scams on the Rise, Experts Warn

AI-powered impersonation and identity theft attempts surge during tax season

Mar. 16, 2026 at 4:03pm

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According to the Federal Trade Commission, tax scams involving robocalls, texts, and phishing emails are increasing this year, likely fueled by the use of artificial intelligence to make the attempts more sophisticated and convincing. Consumer advocates urge the public to be wary, avoid clicking links or giving out personal information, and report any suspected fraud to authorities.

Why it matters

Tax season is a prime time for scammers to target vulnerable consumers, and the rise of AI-powered tactics makes these attempts harder to detect. Falling victim to tax scams can lead to identity theft, financial losses, and significant headaches for victims trying to resolve the issues with the IRS.

The details

The IRS has reported over 600 social media impersonators in the last fiscal year, and scammers are using alarming language, QR codes, and spoofed caller ID to lure people to fake websites where they can steal personal information. Identity theft is one of the most common tax-related fraud schemes, where scammers use someone's Social Security number to file a fraudulent tax return and collect the refund. Experts say the 'sheer volume and level of sophistication' of these attempts suggests AI is being leveraged to make the scams more convincing.

  • The IRS released its 'Dirty Dozen' list of top tax scams for the 2026 filing season.

The players

Federal Trade Commission

The consumer protection bureau of the federal government that tracks and warns about emerging fraud tactics.

Rosario Mendez

An attorney for the Bureau of Consumer Protection at the Federal Trade Commission.

Eva Velasquez

CEO of the Identity Theft Resource Center, a nonprofit that tracks identity theft trends.

Kathy Stokes

Director of fraud prevention programs for AARP.

Alan Butler

Executive director of the Electronic Privacy Information Center.

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What they’re saying

“We're seeing an uptick in phishing emails, fake texts, and even phone calls. Scammers are trying to get you to engage in any manner – talk to them, click the link, share your personal data, or share access to your devices or accounts.”

— Eva Velasquez, CEO, Identity Theft Resource Center

“If a scammer has used your social security number to file a tax return, it's possible the same thief could use it to open bank accounts, credit cards, or file for unemployment.”

— Rosario Mendez, Attorney, Bureau of Consumer Protection at the FTC

“People can be victimized not only once with the theft of their identity, but a second time, because the monitoring services are trying to up-sell them.”

— Alan Butler, Executive Director, Electronic Privacy Information Center

What’s next

The IRS urges taxpayers to be vigilant about unsolicited calls, texts, or emails claiming to be from the agency, and to report any suspected scams to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration.

The takeaway

As tax season approaches, consumers must be on high alert for increasingly sophisticated scams fueled by AI-powered impersonation tactics. Protecting personal information, verifying the source of any communications, and promptly reporting fraud attempts are crucial steps to avoid becoming a victim of tax-related identity theft and financial losses.