Tax Scams and Consumer Alerts

Thousands of people have lost millions of dollars and their personal information to tax scams. Scammers use the regular mail, telephone, or email to set up individuals, businesses, payroll and tax professionals. Visit the IRS website for further information: https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/tax-scams-consumer-alerts

Practical next steps

• Note the date on this article. It describes the rules as they stood then, and tax procedure changes.
• Start from the notice you actually received: the number in the top right corner and the date printed on it decide what is still open to you.
• Pull your account transcripts before deciding anything. They show what the IRS believes about your account, which is not always what the letters say.
• If a deadline is running or the amount is significant, have someone read the file before you respond.

Official sources for current verification

• California FTB — Scams
• California Attorney General — Warning About Upfront-Fee Tax Relief Claims

Important notice

This material provides general information, not legal or tax advice. Tax outcomes depend on the facts, procedural history, applicable law, and current agency guidance. Reading this page does not create an attorney-client relationship.