Tax season brings a predictable surge in scams targeting seniors, especially fraudulent calls or messages from people pretending to be the IRS. While the technology scammers use evolves each year, the underlying tactics have remained consistent. Their goal is simple: pressure people into paying fake tax debts or revealing personal information that can be used for identity theft.

IRS impersonation scams are among the most reported forms of fraud affecting older adults. Estate planning clients often ask us how to differentiate between legitimate tax communication and a scam – so our team has outlined the key warning signs below.

How IRS Impersonation Scammers Operate

IRS scammers use a mix of fear, urgency, and sophisticated technology. Common tactics include:

Caller ID Spoofing

Fraudsters may use tools that make it look like the call is coming from an official IRS number. This tactic alone convinces many seniors to stay on the line.

Use of Personal Details

Scammers often reference your:

• Address
• Birthdate
• Publicly available records

These details create the illusion of legitimacy.

Threats and Intimidation

They may claim:

• You owe an “urgent unpaid tax bill”
• You will be sued or arrested
• Your Social Security benefits will be suspended

These claims are designed to create panic and push you into quick action.

Requests for Immediate Payment

They commonly demand:

• Wire transfers
• Prepaid debit cards
• Gift cards
• Digital payment platforms

The IRS does not use these payment methods.

How to Protect Yourself from IRS Scams

1. Know How the IRS Contacts You

The IRS will never initiate contact by:

• Phone
• Email
• Text message
• Social media

Official communication begins with mail, sent to your address.

2. Hang Up Immediately

If someone calls claiming to be the IRS:

• Do not share personal information
• Do not make a payment over the phone
• Hang up immediately

Staying calm and ending the call is one of the most effective defenses.

3. Report the Scam

You can report suspicious activity to:

• Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA)
• Federal Trade Commission (FTC)

Reporting helps protect others in the community.

4. Seek Professional Guidance

If you’re unsure whether a tax notice is legitimate:

• Contact a trusted tax professional
• Call the IRS directly using the official number listed on their website

A quick verification can prevent long-term problems such as identity theft or financial loss.

How Our Firm Supports Seniors Facing Fraud

Fraud can have deep financial and emotional impacts, particularly for seniors and their families. While our estate planning focus is on protecting your long-term wishes and assets, we also help clients navigate fraud-related concerns that threaten those plans.

If you or someone you love has been targeted by tax season scams, you have questions about taxes this year, or you want to strengthen your estate planning protections, our team at Copenbarger & Copenbarger LLP is ready to help. Contact us at 888‑244‑8814 to speak with an experienced estate planning or tax attorney and get the guidance you need.

If you have any further questions about estate planning and strategies to shield your wealth, or if you’d like to have your current asset protection plan reviewed to make sure it still meets your needs, please contact us at one of our offices located throughout the state of California 800-244-8814 to set up a consultation.