What to know about IRS impostors and tax preparation fraud

The season for filing 2023 taxes begins Jan. 29, and while some Texas residents are planning on submitting their own returns, others are reaching out to reputable tax preparers for assistance. With roughly three months remaining until the filing deadline of April 15 for general tax returns, Better Business Bureau reminds residents to be wary of con artists and unethical businesses who claim to specialize in tax preparation. Additionally, BBB reminds businesses and consumers to be aware of an increase in IRS impostors attempting to contact tax filers through email, text, social media, or other methods to steal personally identifiable information. IRS impostor and phishing scams Impostor scams remain one of the most common types of fraud reported to the FTC by Texas residents, with over 33,000 reports in the first three quarters of 2023. Across the U.S., impostor scams account for $2 billion in losses, surpassing losses to the next three most frequently reported types of fraud combined. IRS impostors target tax filers and tax preparation businesses, often claiming the recipient must take immediate action or confirm account details. Related Stories IRS impostor scams are carried out through unsolicited phone calls and emails, including against students, faculty and staff...