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Attorney General Mayes and Better Business Bureau Warn Arizonans: Don't Fall for Tax Season Scams

Press Release - Attorney General Kris Mayes

New Consumer PSA Warns of Fake IRS Programs and Government Handout Schemes Targeting Taxpayers

 

PHOENIX — Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes and the Better Business Bureau's Joe Ducey today released a new consumer video PSA warning Arizonans about tax-related scams targeting residents during tax season.

The video tackles some of the most prevalent scams circulating right now — including fake "IRS liability reduction programs," phony government inflation refund checks, and bogus direct deposit schemes falsely tied to tariff money. None of these programs exist. But scammers are using them to trick people into surrendering sensitive financial and tax information.

"Scammers want you to act fast before a supposed relief option disappears," said Attorney General Mayes. “If someone is pushing you to act immediately, stop and hang up the phone. Knowing how to spot a scam can help you protect yourself from being victimized."


The PSA also flags a specific phone scam in which callers claim to be from an IRS "tax review" unit, provide a fake badge number, and tell recipients their file has been flagged for unresolved issues. This is a scam. Taxpayers can verify any legitimate IRS communications and manage their accounts at irs.gov.

"Arizonans should only trust sources they can verify," said BBB's Joe Ducey. "Before hiring a tax preparer, check bbb.org for reviews and accredited businesses. You can also look up common scams or report new ones to the BBB’s scam tracker at www.bbb.org/scamtracker."


Warning Signs of a Tax Scam:

  • Unsolicited calls, texts, or social media messages promising government money
  • Pressure to act immediately before an offer expires
  • Requests for your bank account number or Tax ID
  • Callers claiming to be from the IRS with a badge number

How to Protect Yourself This Tax Season:

  • Never give out your Tax ID or bank account number in response to an unsolicited call, text, or message — no legitimate government agency will ask for it this way.
  • Hang up on pressure tactics. Any caller demanding you act immediately or threatening consequences is running a scam.
  • Verify IRS contact through irs.gov. The IRS always sends a letter first. If you're unsure whether you have a real tax issue, log in to your account at irs.gov to check directly.
  • Research tax preparers before you hire. Check bbb.org for reviews and look for BBB-accredited businesses before handing over your financial documents.
  • Don't trust caller ID. Scammers can spoof government agency numbers to make calls look legitimate.
  • When in doubt, don't click. Unsolicited emails or texts with links about tax refunds or government deposits should be deleted without clicking.
  • Report scams. If you've been targeted, report it to the Arizona Attorney General's Office at azag.gov.

If you believe you have been the victim of consumer fraud, file a complaint at www.azag.gov/consumer. To request a complaint form, contact the Attorney General's Office in Phoenix at (602) 542-5763, in Tucson at (520) 628-6648, or outside the Phoenix and Tucson metro areas at (800) 352-8431.

Tax related scams can also be reported to the IRS.

The PSA can be downloaded here.

 

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