Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird announced on April 14 tips to help residents protect themselves from tax and Internal Revenue Service scams as the tax season concludes.
The warning comes at a time when scammers often try to take advantage of individuals who may let their guard down after filing taxes. The Attorney General’s office is urging Iowans to remain vigilant against fraudulent schemes targeting taxpayers.
“You can celebrate the end of tax season, but don’t let your guard down against scammers,” Bird said. “They love to take advantage of Iowans any time of year, but post tax season it’s especially important to be vigilant. Only work with trusted advisors, never send money to anyone online or through a crypto ATM, and if you have questions, please contact my office.”
Common scams identified by the Attorney General include dishonest tax preparers inflating refunds or charging excessive fees, phone calls from individuals impersonating IRS agents threatening arrest unless immediate payment is made, and phishing emails that appear to come from the IRS or tax software companies in order to steal personal information. Identity theft involving stolen personal data used for filing fraudulent returns was also highlighted.
To reduce risk, officials recommend researching reputable tax preparers, avoiding sharing sensitive information over phone or email since the IRS typically contacts taxpayers by mail first, maintaining updated security software on devices, and being wary of urgent demands for payment or threats of legal action. If contacted unexpectedly about taxes via text, email or call, residents are advised to verify messages directly with official IRS sources rather than responding immediately.
Those who suspect they have been targeted by a scam are encouraged to report incidents to the Iowa Attorney General’s office at 888-777-4590 or consumer@iowa.gov.
