AI-Fueled Tax Scams on the Rise: LifeLock Experts Share Tips on How to File Safely
LifeLock (NASDAQ: GEN) warns of rising AI-driven tax scams, with 56% of individuals already encountering AI-powered voice scams. The IRS Criminal Investigation unit revealed tax fraud and financial crimes increased to $9.1 billion in 2024, up from $5.7 billion in 2022.
Three major scam types identified for 2025 include:
- W-2 Phishing Scams using AI-generated communications to steal tax documents
- Disaster Relief Fund Tax Scams exploiting IRS tax extensions
- Offer in Compromise (OIC) Scams making false debt relief promises
LifeLock's General Manager Ian Bednowitz emphasizes the increasing sophistication of these scams, with 81% of victims reporting financial impacts. The company recommends using reputable tax preparation services, verifying communications, and implementing protective measures like monitoring financial accounts and using identity theft protection services.
LifeLock (NASDAQ: GEN) avverte dell'aumento delle truffe fiscali guidate dall'IA, con il 56% degli individui che ha già incontrato truffe vocali alimentate dall'IA. L'unità di Investigazione Criminale dell'IRS ha rivelato che le frodi fiscali e i crimini finanziari sono aumentati a 9,1 miliardi di dollari nel 2024, rispetto ai 5,7 miliardi di dollari del 2022.
Tre principali tipi di truffe identificati per il 2025 includono:
- Truffe di Phishing W-2 che utilizzano comunicazioni generate dall'IA per rubare documenti fiscali
- Truffe Fiscali sul Fondo di Emergenza che sfruttano le estensioni fiscali dell'IRS
- Truffe di Offerta in Compromesso (OIC) che fanno false promesse di riduzione del debito
Ian Bednowitz, Direttore Generale di LifeLock, sottolinea la crescente sofisticazione di queste truffe, con l'81% delle vittime che riporta impatti finanziari. L'azienda raccomanda di utilizzare servizi di preparazione fiscale di fiducia, verificare le comunicazioni e implementare misure protettive come il monitoraggio dei conti finanziari e l'uso di servizi di protezione contro il furto d'identità.
LifeLock (NASDAQ: GEN) advierte sobre el aumento de las estafas fiscales impulsadas por IA, con el 56% de las personas que ya han encontrado estafas de voz impulsadas por IA. La unidad de Investigación Criminal del IRS reveló que el fraude fiscal y los delitos financieros aumentaron a 9.1 mil millones de dólares en 2024, en comparación con 5.7 mil millones de dólares en 2022.
Los tres principales tipos de estafas identificadas para 2025 incluyen:
- Estafas de Phishing W-2 que utilizan comunicaciones generadas por IA para robar documentos fiscales
- Estafas Fiscales del Fondo de Ayuda por Desastres que explotan las extensiones fiscales del IRS
- Estafas de Oferta en Compromiso (OIC) que hacen falsas promesas de alivio de deudas
Ian Bednowitz, Gerente General de LifeLock, enfatiza la creciente sofisticación de estas estafas, con el 81% de las víctimas reportando impactos financieros. La compañía recomienda utilizar servicios de preparación de impuestos de confianza, verificar las comunicaciones e implementar medidas de protección como monitorear cuentas financieras y usar servicios de protección contra el robo de identidad.
라이프락 (NASDAQ: GEN)은 AI 기반의 세금 사기가 증가하고 있다고 경고하며, 56%의 개인이 이미 AI 음성 사기를 경험했다고 보고했습니다. IRS 범죄 수사 부서는 세금 사기 및 금융 범죄가 2024년에 91억 달러로 증가했으며, 이는 2022년의 57억 달러에서 증가한 수치라고 밝혔습니다.
2025년에 식별된 세 가지 주요 사기 유형은 다음과 같습니다:
- W-2 피싱 사기는 AI 생성 통신을 사용하여 세금 문서를 도용합니다.
- 재난 구호 기금 세금 사기는 IRS 세금 연장을 악용합니다.
- 타협 제안(OIC) 사기는 잘못된 채무 구제 약속을 합니다.
라이프락의 총괄 매니저인 이안 베드노위츠는 이러한 사기의 점점 더 정교해지고 있다고 강조하며, 피해자의 81%가 재정적 영향을 보고하고 있다고 전했습니다. 회사는 신뢰할 수 있는 세금 준비 서비스를 이용하고, 통신을 확인하며, 금융 계좌 모니터링 및 신원 도용 방지 서비스를 사용하는 등의 보호 조치를 취할 것을 권장합니다.
LifeLock (NASDAQ: GEN) met en garde contre l'augmentation des escroqueries fiscales alimentées par l'IA, 56 % des individus ayant déjà rencontré des escroqueries vocales alimentées par l'IA. L'unité d'enquête criminelle de l'IRS a révélé que la fraude fiscale et les crimes financiers ont augmenté à 9,1 milliards de dollars en 2024, contre 5,7 milliards de dollars en 2022.
Trois principaux types d'escroqueries identifiés pour 2025 comprennent :
- Escroqueries de phishing W-2 utilisant des communications générées par l'IA pour voler des documents fiscaux
- Escroqueries fiscales du fonds d'aide en cas de catastrophe exploitant les prolongations fiscales de l'IRS
- Escroqueries d'offre en compromis (OIC) faisant de fausses promesses de soulagement de la dette
Ian Bednowitz, directeur général de LifeLock, souligne la sophistication croissante de ces escroqueries, 81 % des victimes signalant des impacts financiers. L'entreprise recommande d'utiliser des services de préparation fiscale réputés, de vérifier les communications et de mettre en œuvre des mesures de protection telles que le suivi des comptes financiers et l'utilisation de services de protection contre le vol d'identité.
LifeLock (NASDAQ: GEN) warnt vor dem Anstieg von KI-gesteuerten Steuerbetrügereien, wobei 56% der Personen bereits mit KI-gestützten Sprachbetrügereien konfrontiert wurden. Die Ermittlungsabteilung des IRS hat enthüllt, dass Steuerbetrug und Finanzkriminalität auf 9,1 Milliarden Dollar im Jahr 2024 gestiegen sind, verglichen mit 5,7 Milliarden Dollar im Jahr 2022.
Drei Haupttypen von Betrügereien, die für 2025 identifiziert wurden, sind:
- W-2 Phishing-Betrügereien, die KI-generierte Kommunikation nutzen, um Steuerdokumente zu stehlen
- Steuerbetrügereien im Katastrophenhilfefonds, die die Steuerverlängerungen des IRS ausnutzen
- Offerte im Kompromiss (OIC) Betrügereien, die falsche Schuldenentlastungsversprechen machen
Ian Bednowitz, Geschäftsführer von LifeLock, betont die zunehmende Raffinesse dieser Betrügereien, wobei 81% der Opfer von finanziellen Auswirkungen berichten. Das Unternehmen empfiehlt die Nutzung seriöser Steuervorbereitungsdienste, die Überprüfung von Mitteilungen und die Implementierung von Schutzmaßnahmen wie die Überwachung von Finanzkonten und die Nutzung von Identitätsdiebstahlschutzdiensten.
- LifeLock offers enhanced protection through Norton Genie scam detection
- Company positioned as leader in identity theft protection in U.S.
- Rising AI-driven tax fraud threatens company's ability to protect customers
- Increasing sophistication of scams may lead to higher protection costs
Look out for W-2 phishing scams, disaster relief scams and fake debt relief scams
"We're in a new era of tax scams, where AI gives fraudsters an unprecedented advantage," notes Ian Bednowitz, General Manager of LifeLock. "The challenge isn't just that these scams exist—it's that they're becoming nearly indistinguishable from legitimate communications. Taxpayers can no longer rely on gut instinct alone to spot a scam. This tax season, the best defense isn't just caution—it's education, verification, and the right security tools to stay ahead of these threats."
In 2024, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Criminal Investigation unit uncovered over
- W-2 Phishing Scams: AI-driven phishing scams are more personal and convincing than ever before. Scammers use AI-generated emails, voice deepfakes and even chatbot-assisted conversations to convincingly impersonate senior executives, targeting HR and finance departments. By using AI to tailor their messages with company-specific details, scammers have an easier time than ever making their messages more convincing so they can trick people into handing over sensitive tax documents like W-2s. Fraudsters can file a tax return using a stolen W-2 and steal the refund or take sensitive information on the W-2, such as a Social Security Number, to further steal someone's identity.
- Disaster Relief Fund Tax Scams: People typically think of fake donation sites, or insurance related scams after natural disasters, like the recent
Los Angeles fires and hurricanes around the country. However, LifeLock sees a rise in scams during tax season too. Fraudsters exploit IRS tax extensions for disaster-affected individuals, impersonating officials to steal sensitive data or payments. The urgency of relief efforts makes both donors and victims particularly vulnerable to these schemes. - Offer in Compromise (OIC) Scams: While the IRS does offer a legitimate program called Offer in Compromise to help taxpayers settle their debts, scammers exploit this by making false promises of debt relief. With the help of AI, fraudsters now deploy large-scale robocalls, personalized email campaigns and even deepfake videos of supposed "tax professionals" endorsing their services. These scams prey on vulnerable people, convincing them to pay high upfront fees for services that never materialize.
Protective Measures for Taxpayers
Cybercriminals are using increasingly sophisticated tactics, making it more critical than ever to stay alert and aware. By following best practices for data protection and relying on trusted tax services, people can strengthen their defenses against these evolving threats.
LifeLock experts recommend the following:
- Use Reputable Tax Preparation Services: Ensure your tax preparer has a valid Preparer Tax Identification Number (PTIN) and is authorized to file returns.
- Verify Communications: The IRS will never reach out via email, text or social media to request personal or financial information – but scammers will. In fact,
59% of tax-related scam victims were contacted through email,50% through text and47% through social media. If you think the IRS or your tax preparer is trying to reach you, call them directly instead of responding to the message. Better yet, establish a safe word to use with your tax preparer to help make sure it's really them when they reach out to you. - Be Cautious with Personal Information: Avoid sharing sensitive data over the phone or online unless you are certain of the recipient's identity.
- Monitor Financial Accounts: Regularly check bank and credit accounts for unauthorized transactions.
- Report Suspicious Activity: If you suspect a tax-related scam, report it to the IRS and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) promptly.
- Strengthen Your Defenses Against Fraud: Use services like LifeLock to help monitor and protect against identity theft, particularly during tax season when scammers attempt to file fraudulent returns in your name. Using powerful scam detection like Norton Genie, now included in Norton 360 with LifeLock plans, can help flag potential scams before you fall victim to them.
For more information on how to protect your identity and finances this tax season, please visit https://lifelock.norton.com/learn/identity-theft-resources/irs-tax-scams-to-watch-out-for.
About LifeLock
LifeLock is the leader in identity theft protection in the
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