Tax Season Scams: A Recap on How AI Made This Season’s Scams More Sophisticated and Harder to Spot

Tax Season Scams: A Recap on How AI Made This Season’s Scams More Sophisticated and Harder to Spot

Just when you thought tax season couldn’t get more stressful, AI-driven scams proved otherwise. This past year, scammers took their tactics to the next level, using artificial intelligence to craft more convincing and harder-to-spot phishing attempts. Throughout the tax season, Guardio tracked a 244% increase in IRS and tax-related spam messages, with February marking the peak of this surge. AI played a key role in making these scams more sophisticated, helping them blend seamlessly with legitimate communications. It was clear that scammers knew exactly when to strike.

Many of these fraudulent messages were powered by AI, making them more effective at stealing sensitive information like your Social Security number, bank details, or payment info. The AI tools behind these scams were able to create messages that sounded remarkably authentic, creating a false sense of urgency by claiming there was a problem with your return or offering a fake refund. These messages pressured recipients into clicking malicious links or handing over personal data.

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Q&A: A Recap of How to Stay Safe During Tax Season

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Why were so many people targeted this year, and how did AI make things worse?

Scammers took advantage of tax season because they knew people were expecting updates about their returns, refunds, or issues. With deadlines fast approaching, emotions like stress, urgency, and confusion ran high, making the perfect environment for scam tactics to thrive. This year, AI played a significant role in making these scams harder to identify, as scammers could easily mimic the look, tone, and language of legitimate tax communications. The surge in scams in February was no accident. As most Americans began filing their taxes in January, AI-enabled scams flooded inboxes and phones, presenting messages that seemed to come straight from the IRS.

How did AI make these scams harder to spot?

AI improved scammers’ ability to generate fake messages that were more personalized and convincing. By analyzing vast amounts of data, AI could craft emails or texts that mirrored the language and style of communications from the IRS or trusted services. This level of sophistication made it increasingly difficult for people to distinguish between real and fake messages. AI even allowed scammers to generate realistic phone numbers and email addresses, tricking even the most vigilant taxpayers.

What could people do to keep their information safe while filing their taxes?

• Stick to trusted, verified tax platforms or consult a certified professional.
  
  
• Use advanced protection like Guardio, which blocks phishing sites and scam attempts in real time, including those disguised as tax-related messages.
  
  
• Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) on accounts involved in tax prep or banking for extra protection against unauthorized access.
  
  
• Always be extra cautious with any message that feels off, no matter how real it looks.

What were some red flags to look out for next tax season?

Here are some AI-driven tactics that were used to trick people this season:

• Messages claiming "urgent issues" with your tax return or suggesting you’re entitled to a refund that requires immediate action. AI scammers thrive on urgency, pushing you to act quickly and click links without thinking. The IRS won’t demand immediate action or threaten consequences via text or email.
  
  
• Emails or texts asking for sensitive info like your Social Security number, banking details, or login credentials. The IRS will never request sensitive information via text or email. If someone asks for it, it’s definitely a scam.
  
  
• Messages from suspicious-looking domains or unfamiliar phone numbers. AI scammers can easily mimic legitimate sources, so always verify the sender before responding or clicking anything.
  
  
• Requests to click links or download attachments to "resolve" a problem. These links could install malware or steal your data. The IRS never sends unsolicited links or attachments.

Remember: The IRS doesn’t contact people via text or email to request sensitive information.

For those who haven’t filed yet, what are some additional safety precautions to take?

• Double-check URLs to ensure you’re on the real IRS website or a trusted filing service. Avoid clicking links from emails or messages.
  
  
• Use Guardio to block scam sites and flag dangerous messages and emails in real time.
  
  
• Be cautious of emails promising quick refunds or "tax help," as these could be phishing messages designed to steal your information.
  

With AI transforming the way scammers targeted people this season, it was more important than ever to stay informed, stay cautious, and protect personal data. By using smart habits and powerful security tools like Guardio, people were able to safeguard their information and avoid falling victim to these increasingly sophisticated scams.