high severity20 March 2026· Global (peaks around national tax deadlines)
Seasonal warning: Tax-authority impersonation scams
Around tax deadlines, calls, texts and emails impersonating the tax office spike — demanding urgent payment or “refund” bank details.
Tax season brings a predictable surge in tax-authority impersonation. Two variants dominate: threatening contacts claiming you owe tax and face arrest unless you pay immediately (often by gift card or transfer), and “refund” messages that link to a fake page harvesting your bank and card details.
Real tax authorities contact you mainly by letter or your secure online account, let you verify any debt, and never demand payment by gift card, crypto, or under threat of immediate arrest.
What to do
- Don't pay or share details with an unexpected “tax” contact
- Log in to the tax authority directly via its official site
- Report phishing to the tax authority's official channel
- Never pay a tax bill by gift card, crypto, or to a “safe account”