Avoiding IRS Tax Scams

As the IRS tax filing deadline approaches, The Brian Lehrer Show tackles the growing threat of tax scams, particularly those leveraging AI to impersonate government agencies. Host Brian Lehrer is joined by tax attorney and Forbes senior writer Kelly Phillips Erb, who explains how recent tax changes—such as the so-called 'no tax on Social Security' provision—have been exploited by scammers to create fake pre-approval schemes. These scams often arrive via phishing emails, smishing texts, or fraudulent mail, using sophisticated caller ID spoofing and fake websites to harvest personal and financial data. Listeners share harrowing stories, including elderly victims targeted due to their vulnerability and callers who were tricked by convincing but fraudulent IRS impersonators. Erb emphasizes that the IRS never initiates contact via email, text, or unsolicited phone calls, and urges listeners to verify all communications through official channels like IRS.gov. She also warns against retaliatory calls to scammers, which can confirm active phone numbers and expose personal details. For victims, reporting the scam immediately is critical, though recovery is rare—especially after 24 hours. Additionally, victims may face secondary tax consequences, including taxable withdrawals and higher Medicare premiums, underscoring the importance of seeking help quickly. Key takeaways include: (1) The IRS never contacts taxpayers via email, text, or unsolicited calls; (2) Always verify suspicious messages by going directly to IRS.gov instead of clicking links; (3) Never respond to or call back scammers, even to confront them; (4) Report scams to phishing@irs.gov and the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center; (5) Be cautious of fake pre-approval offers tied to new tax provisions; (6) Scam victims may face unexpected tax liabilities from withdrawals or asset sales; (7) Seek help from family, tax professionals, and law enforcement immediately to avoid further harm; (8) AI-powered scams are increasingly sophisticated, making verification more critical than ever. The episode concludes with a strong emphasis on vigilance, education, and proactive reporting to combat the rising tide of tax-related fraud.