State officials are warning Illinois taxpayers to be on the lookout for scams during tax season.
Susana Mendoza says this time of year often involves sharing sensitive information like Social Security numbers and bank account details — making it a prime target for identity thieves.

A recent report from McAfee found nearly one in four people surveyed say they’ve lost money to a tax scam, with the average loss topping one thousand dollars.

One of the most common scams involves criminals pretending to be from the Internal Revenue Service. Victims may receive phone calls, text messages, or emails claiming there’s a problem with their tax return or refund. Officials say messages should raise red flags if they’re unexpected, threaten immediate action, promise refunds or credits, or pressure you to provide personal information or make a payment right away.

The Illinois Department of Revenue is also warning residents about similar messages pretending to come from their agency. Officials say taxpayers should remember the IRS typically makes first contact through regular mail, not text or email.

One scam in particular targets people expecting refunds. Messages may claim your refund has been delayed and ask you to click a link to verify your information — often leading to fake websites designed to steal personal data. Other scams include fake tax preparers advertising large refunds on social media, texts claiming you’ve been overcharged on taxes, and phone calls demanding immediate payment.

Comptroller Mendoza says the bottom line is simple: don’t click suspicious links and don’t share personal information if you’re unsure who you’re dealing with. Taxpayers can check the status of their Illinois refund through the Find My Refund feature on the Illinois Office of the Comptroller website. The deadline to file federal and state income taxes this year is April fifteenth.