Beware of Tax Scams: Protect Your Personally Identifiable Information
Safeguard Your Sensitive Data Using These Tips to Recognize Tax Scams and Prevent Identity Theft and Fraud
For Release: Immediate, Wednesday, April 2, 2025
For media inquiries only, contact: Ryan Cleveland, 518-457-7377
As the April 15 tax deadline approaches, the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance urges taxpayers to a stay vigilant to avoid scammers who are trying to steal personal information.
“Scam artists continually adjust their tactics to steal sensitive information from unsuspecting individuals,” said New York State Department of Tax and Finance Acting Commissioner Amanda Hiller. “It’s important to safeguard your confidential data – now and throughout the year.”
New York Secretary of State Walter T. Mosley said, “Scammers often use tax season as a time to prey on consumers’ fears and anxieties, taking advantage of difficult financial situations to steal from hardworking New Yorkers. As we near the end of tax season, I’m urging New York consumers to stay informed and take added precautions so you can protect your identity and your money from scammers.”
By staying alert and knowing what to watch out for, you can reduce your risk of becoming a target of common tax scams.
Impersonation scams
Never share personal information, such as your Social Security number, in response to an unsolicited call or text. Scammers often use scare tactics to convince people to disclose personal and financial information.
They may:
- demand immediate payment for a tax debt;
- threaten you over the phone, possibly with police action or deportation; or
- demand you pay in a specific way, such as through prepaid debit cards or in person.
Phishing scams
Be aware of attempts to trick you into providing personal or financial information through an email, text, or link to a fraudulent website. For an example of what to look out for, see our example of a scam text message.
For more information on phishing, visit Department of State, Division of Consumer Protection: Phishing Scam Prevention Tips.
Scam letters
Scammers are posing as the Tax Department or legitimate debt collectors – threatening New Yorkers with debt they do not owe. Their tactics can be intimidating. Scammers demand immediate payment and try to convince you to pay using methods that are difficult to trace, such as gift card, wire transfer, prepaid card, or cryptocurrency.
View examples of scam letters to see how they compare to official Tax Department correspondence. If you are still unsure about the origin of the letter, please call the Tax Department at 518-451-1566 or email dtfoia@tax.ny.gov.
How you can protect yourself
Follow these best practices to help keep your personal information safe and prevent yourself from becoming a victim. In addition:
- If you receive a threatening phone call regarding your taxes, hang up immediately.
- Never agree to meet anyone who claims to be a tax representative in person to hand over payment for a debt.
- Don’t provide personal information in an email or click suspicious links in an email asking for personal information.
Report scams
If you’ve been scammed or think you’ve received an email, phone call, or text that seems suspicious, report it. We review all complaints promptly and, if appropriate, take corrective action.
For more taxpayer scam information, visit the Division of Consumer Protection's Taxpayer Scam webpage. For additional identity theft prevention and mitigation resources, call the Consumer Helpline at 800-697-1220 or visit the Division’s Identity Theft Prevention and Mitigation Program webpage.