How to Stop Scam Phone Calls & More During 2026 Tax Season

Tax season is stressful enough on its own. The last thing you need is a scammer making it worse. Unfortunately, it's also peak season for IRS tax scams, impersonators, and identity theft attempts. Every year, millions of Americans receive fake calls, texts, emails, and letters designed to steal their personal information or money – and the tactics keep getting more convincing.

Whether you're a first-time filer or a seasoned taxpayer, knowing what to watch for – and how to avoid tax scams – can protect your finances and your peace of mind. Here's what you need to know.

What Are Internet Scams – And Why Tax Season Makes Them Worse

Internet fraud scams are deceptive schemes designed to trick people into handing over money or personal information. They show up as phishing emails, impersonation calls, fake websites, and fraudulent texts. And while they happen year-round, tax season creates the perfect storm for scammers.

Why? Because everyone expects some form of IRS contact this time of year. When you're already thinking about your tax return or waiting on a refund, a message claiming there's an issue with your account doesn't raise red flags the way it should.

4 Types of Tax Season Scams to Watch For

1. Tax Phone Call Scams 

One of the most common types of internet scams starts with a phone call. Someone claims to be an IRS agent, tells you that you owe a tax debt, and demands immediate payment – often via wire transfers or prepaid debit cards. They may threaten arrest or deportation to pressure you into acting fast.

So will the IRS call you? Rarely – and never like that. The IRS almost always initiates contact through physical mail first. They will never demand immediate payment over the phone or threaten you with arrest. If a call feels off, hang up. It's almost certainly a tax call scam.

2. IRS Email Scams and Text Scams

A convincing IRS scam email might carry an official logo, use formal language, and link to a site that looks like IRS.gov – but isn't. Similarly, a tax return text scam might tell you your refund is ready and ask you to click a link to claim it. Both are phishing attempts designed to steal your personal information or install malware on your device.

The IRS does not initiate contact via email or text. If you receive either, don't click anything. Forward IRS scam emails to phishing@irs.gov.

3. Fake IRS Letters and Scam Mail

Not every IRS letter scam lands in your inbox. Fraudulent physical letters can look remarkably official – complete with letterhead, case numbers, and deadlines. IRS scam

mail often includes a phone number to call back, which connects you directly to the scammer rather than a real agent.

Legitimate IRS letters always include a notice number, give you adequate time to respond, and never demand payment by unusual methods. When in doubt, verify at IRS.gov or call 1-800-829-1040 directly.

4. Tax Refund Scams on Social Media

Scammers have also made their way onto social media platforms. They pose as tax preparers, promise unusually large refunds, or solicit donations through fake charities tied to phony tax deductions. If someone reaches out online asking for your personal information or an upfront fee to maximize your refund, walk away.

Red Flags: How to Spot an IRS Tax Scam

No matter how a scam reaches you, these warning signs apply across the board:

• Demands immediate payment via wire transfers or prepaid debit cards
• Threatens arrest or deportation if you don't act immediately
• Asks for your Social Security number or bank account details upfront
• Contacts you out of nowhere via email, text, or social media, claiming to be the IRS
• Promises a large, unexpected tax refund with no explanation
• Creates extreme urgency with no room to verify or ask questions

How to Avoid Tax Scams This Filing Season

Awareness is your first line of defense. Here's how to stay protected:

• Never share personal information with an unsolicited caller, emailer, or texter. Hang up or delete first.
• Go directly to IRS.gov to check your refund or account status – never follow links in messages.
• File your tax return early. Submitting first makes it harder for scammers to file a fraudulent return in your name.
• Secure your accounts with strong, unique passwords and enable two-factor authentication on tax software.
• Use internet safety tools at home – like Bark Jr, included with every Buckeye internet plan – to add an extra layer of protection for your whole household.

How to Stop Scam Phone Calls for Good

If internal revenue scam calls keep coming, you're not alone – and you're not powerless. Here's how to fight back: 

• Register at DoNotCall.gov to reduce unwanted telemarketing and more easily spot suspicious calls.
• Use your phone's built-in features to silence unknown callers. Both iPhone and Android have this option.
• Try a call-blocking app like Nomorobo, Hiya, or RoboKiller to automatically screen known scam numbers.
• Never press 1 to opt out – it flags your number as active and invites more calls.
• Report tax phone call scams to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
• Cyber AssuranceIndemnity also offers methods for reporting and blocking spam calls and texts.

How to Report IRS Tax Scams

Reporting scams helps protect your neighbors from falling victim, too. Here's where to send them: 

• IRS scam emails: Forward to phishing@irs.gov
• IRS text scams: Forward to 7726 (SPAM)
• Fake IRS letters or scam mail: Report to the Treasury Inspector General at TIGTA.gov
• General fraud: File at ReportFraud.ftc.gov
• If you shared your bank account or financial information with a scammer, contact your bank immediately

Extra Protection with Cyber AssuranceIndemnity

Even when you’re doing all the right things – using strong passwords, updating your devices, and staying cautious about what you click – there’s still a chance that sensitive information can wind up where it doesn’t belong. That’s where Buckeye Broadband’s Cyber AssuranceIndemnity (Cyber AI) comes in. This optional service adds a powerful layer of protection on top of your internet connection by pairing multi-device security with browser protection, dark web monitoring, and alerts if your personal information is found in risky places online. Whether you’re banking, shopping, working, or streaming, Cyber AI works quietly in the background to help protect your identity, your accounts, and your peace of mind.

If something does go wrong, Cyber AssuranceIndemnity is also built to help you recover quickly instead of facing the fallout on your own. Plans include ongoing identity and credit monitoring, fraud alerts, and fully managed identity restoration, along with support and reimbursement features for issues like ransomware or social-engineering scams, stolen funds, and other forms of identity theft – plus 24/7 access to experts who can walk you through next steps. Bundled with your Buckeye Broadband services and backed by local Brainiacs support, it provides an ongoing safety net for your household or small business in support of your efforts, so you can stay focused on what matters most while Buckeye helps watch your digital back.

H2: Buckeye Has Your Back Against Tax Scams: Online and Off 

At Buckeye Broadband, we're not just your internet provider – we're your neighbors. We know how important it is to stay safe online, especially during tax season, when scammers are working overtime to target people right here in our community. 

Every Buckeye internet plan includes Bark Jr, a parental control app that helps filter harmful content, manage screen time, and set healthy digital boundaries for your whole household. And if you ever have questions about your devices or network security, our Brainiacs team is available 24/7 – local people who know your community, not an outsourced call center. Plus, we offer Cyber AssuranceIndemnity for another layer of protection. 

Stay connected. Stay protected. Explore Buckeye internet plans or call 419-828-0022 to learn more.