"A hefty 82% of Americans said they're concerned about tax fraud this season, with many seeing just as many, if not more, scammy messages this year than last. Some 40% believe that scam messages are more sophisticated now than last year, with most people worried that AI is making these scams more realistic."
"Tax scams are turning many people into victims. Some 23% of those surveyed said they've fallen for a tax scam. That percentage rises even higher for those in the 18-24 age range to a whopping 42%. More than 10% of those polled said they were hit by tax-related identity theft."
"More than 30% of those polled said they've been contacted by someone claiming to be from the IRS or another tax authority. As scammers use all available tools, the initial notification can arrive by phone, email, or text. With emails and texts, almost 40% of the respondents said they were asked to click a link or send a payment."
Tax season brings heightened cybercriminal activity, with scammers using AI to create more realistic fraudulent messages and calls impersonating the IRS and tax authorities. McAfee's 2026 Tax Season Survey reveals that over 30% of Americans have been contacted by scammers, with 40% believing scam messages are more sophisticated than previous years. Young adults aged 18-24 face the highest vulnerability, with 42% falling victim to tax scams. Nearly 20% of respondents lost money, averaging $1,020 per victim, while over 10% experienced tax-related identity theft. Scammers use multiple channels including phone, email, and text, often requesting link clicks or payments.
Read at ZDNET
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