Tax Scam Alert: Don't Let Thieves Steal Your Refund This Season

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ) As the IRS is expecting to receive more than 140 million individual tax returns this season, the Better Business Bureau is telling taxpayers to be aware of potential scammers looking to interfere with filing.

The Better Business Bureau warned that scammers often use this time of year to target unsuspecting taxpayers, trying to steal their personal and financial information. These scammers may pose as IRS agents, claiming that there is an issue with the taxpayer's return or that they owe back taxes.

According to the IRS, the most common tax scams include phishing, where scammers send fake emails or texts that appear to be from the IRS, and phone scams, where scammers call taxpayers claiming to be from the IRS and demanding payment. The IRS also warned about tax preparer fraud, where scammers pose as tax preparers and steal taxpayers' information.

The Better Business Bureau is advising taxpayers to be cautious when dealing with anyone who claims to be from the IRS. Taxpayers should never give out their personal or financial information over the phone or via email, and should always verify the identity of anyone claiming to be from the IRS.

Taxpayers can protect themselves from these scams by being aware of the warning signs. If someone claims to be from the IRS and demands payment immediately, it is likely a scam. The IRS will never demand payment over the phone or via email, and will always send a bill in the mail before taking any action.

In addition to being aware of these scams, taxpayers can also take steps to protect their personal and financial information. The IRS recommends using strong passwords and keeping software up to date, as well as being cautious when using public Wi-Fi or public computers to file taxes.

The IRS is also offering resources to help taxpayers avoid scams. The IRS website has a section dedicated to tax scams, where taxpayers can find information on how to identify and avoid scams. The IRS is also offering a service called the IRS Taxpayer Guide to Identity Theft, which provides information on how to protect against identity theft and what to do if a taxpayer's identity is stolen.