Comptroller Susana Mendoza warns the public about tax related scams this filing season

Whether you’ve already started the filing process or are just beginning to get all your documents together, it’s important to be aware of current scams targeting taxpayers.

“This is the time of year when you’re dealing with a lot of personal information including Social Security and bank account numbers,” Comptroller Susana Mendoza said. “You’ve got to be careful not to fall victim to con artists looking to steal your identity and your money.”

A January 2026 report by McAfee found 23% of those surveyed have lost money to a tax scam, with an average loss of $1,020.

What to watch for
One of the most prevalent scams currently circulating has thieves posing as someone from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). They may reach out via phone call, text or email, sometimes becoming aggressive. What’s even more troubling is that the explosion of AI makes it even more difficult to tell what’s real and what’s a con. The IRS says the message may be a scam if it:

• Is unexpected
• Rushes or threatens you
• Offers refunds, credits or deductions
• Pressures you for personal or financial information
• Tells you to pay now "or else"

These messages look real and may include the IRS logo and a link to what looks like an official government website. They may say “your tax refund has been processed,” or promise to reduce your tax burden. They might even say you owe back taxes. Clicking on the link provided can lead to your personal information being stolen.

The Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) is also warning about similar communications that aim to appear they are coming from their agency. IDOR advises anyone receiving a suspicious looking text, email or call to confirm official communications or contact details on its website.

The IRS has launched a website to report tax related fraud, and offers advice about how to tell if a message is really from the IRS.

The IRS reminds that they typically contact people first via U.S.P.S. mail and won’t email or text without your permission. If you are uncertain, check with an official at the IRS or IDOR before taking any requested action.

Refund scams
One specific scam preys upon the excitement about getting a refund. The message may say something like “your tax refund has been delayed due to a verification issue. Please confirm your information."

It’s easy to fall for…you want your money as soon as possible. The link leads to a close replica of a government website or tax filing service, asking you to input your personal information. From there, scammers can steal your data.

Other scams
Bogus tax professionals on social media claiming they can get you big refunds

Texts saying you have been overcharged on your last tax installment and asking you to click a link to receive compensation

Calls that sound very authoritative from someone claiming to be from an IRS enforcement unit and demanding immediate payment. Callers may also impersonate tax professionals requesting tax documents

“The bottom line is that taxpayers need to be very careful to not click on suspicious links or be bullied into giving out their personal information,” Comptroller Mendoza said.

Find My Refund
Once you file your state taxes, you can visit Find My Refund on the Illinois Office of Comptroller website to check the status of your refund if applicable. We will check our records to determine if the Illinois Department of Revenue (IDOR) has sent your information over to our office. The Illinois Office of Comptroller cannot issue a refund until we receive a voucher from IDOR. Our office mails out state income tax refunds within 24-48 hours of receiving the voucher from IDOR.

Last year, more than 822,000 people signed up to be notified when their return had been processed through the IOC’s Find My Refund feature.

Any tax-related questions can be directed to the Illinois Department of Revenue.

The deadline to file income taxes is Wednesday, April 15th.