Quick Answer: If you get a text or email saying your “tax refund has been approved” with a link to verify your identity, it’s a phishing scam. The real IRS never contacts you by text, email, or social media. Delete the message and check your actual refund status at USA.gov.
Tax season is prime hunting season for scammers. The FTC just issued a warning about a surge in fake “tax refund approved” messages designed to steal your personal information—and potentially your entire refund.
These phishing scams are getting more sophisticated every year, and with AI-generated messages becoming indistinguishable from real ones, you need to know exactly what to look for.
Warning: The IRS will NEVER contact you by text, email, or social media to request personal information or send you a link. Any message claiming otherwise is a scam.
How This Scam Works
You get a text or email that looks like it’s from the IRS or a state tax office. The message claims they’ve “processed” or “approved” your tax refund claim.
To “verify your identity” and “send you money,” they ask you to click a link and enter details like:
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- Your Social Security number
- Your bank account and routing numbers
- Your date of birth
- Your address
This is not how you find out about a real tax refund. If you click and share your info, the scammer can steal your refund, file fraudulent returns in your name, or open accounts using your identity.
Key Insight: That’s not how real refunds work. You file your return, and then you can track your refund status through official IRS channels—not through random texts or emails.
Red Flags to Watch For
Scam Signs
- Message arrives before you’ve even filed
- Claims refund is “approved” or “processed”
- Contains a link to click
- Asks for SSN or bank info
- Creates urgency (“act now” language)
- Comes from unknown number/email
Legitimate IRS Contact
- Comes by U.S. mail first
- References your actual return
- Gives you time to respond
- Directs you to IRS.gov
- Never asks for info via text/email
- Never threatens immediate action
This scam works on the same emotional triggers as fake debt collector scams—they create urgency around money you’re expecting (or fearing), then exploit that emotion to get you to act without thinking.
What to Do If You Get One of These Messages
- Don’t respond or click any links – Not even to “unsubscribe”
- Check your real refund status – Go directly to IRS.gov/refunds or USA.gov
- Report the text – Forward it to 7726 (SPAM) or use your phone’s “report junk” feature
- Mark emails as spam – This helps email providers block similar messages
- Report to the FTC – File at ReportFraud.ftc.gov
- Delete the message – Once reported, get it out of your inbox
Already Clicked? Here’s What to Do
If you already clicked a link or entered information:
- Contact your bank immediately – If you entered bank account info, alert your financial institution
- Place a fraud alert – Contact one of the three credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion)
- Consider a credit freeze – This prevents new accounts from being opened in your name
- File an identity theft report – Go to IdentityTheft.gov
- Monitor your credit – Watch for unfamiliar accounts or inquiries
Visit IdentityTheft.gov/steps to learn how to protect yourself before identity theft happens.
The Bigger Picture: Why Scammers Target Tax Season
Tax season creates the perfect storm for scammers:
With billions in refunds flowing and people emotionally invested in getting their money, the conditions are perfect for manipulation. That’s why the FTC and IRS are sounding the alarm now—before peak filing season.
If you’re expecting a refund and wondering what to do with it, especially if you have debt, check out the guide on what to do with your tax refund when you’re in debt.
Watch Out for “Helpers”: After tax scams make the news, fake tax resolution companies ramp up their cold calls. If any company contacts you offering to “fix” your tax problems or promises results that sound too good to be true, run their contract through the Contract Decoder before signing anything. It’s free—and it’s your last line of defense against getting scammed twice.
The IRS will never text you about your refund. Period. If you get a message, it’s a scam—no exceptions.— Steve Rhode
Key Takeaways
- The IRS never contacts you by text, email, or social media
- Delete any “refund approved” messages—they’re phishing scams
- Check your real refund status at IRS.gov/refunds
- Forward scam texts to 7726 (SPAM)
- If you clicked a link, act fast: contact your bank and place fraud alerts
FAQ
Does the IRS ever send text messages?
No. The IRS does not initiate contact with taxpayers by email, text message, or social media to request personal or financial information. Any such message is a scam, regardless of how official it looks.
How do I actually check my refund status?
Use the official “Where’s My Refund?” tool at IRS.gov/refunds or the IRS2Go mobile app. You can check your status 24 hours after e-filing or 4 weeks after mailing a paper return.
What if the text came from what looks like an official number?
Scammers can “spoof” phone numbers to make texts appear to come from legitimate sources. Don’t trust the sender information—the IRS simply doesn’t contact people this way.
I entered my Social Security number on a fake site. What now?
Go to IdentityTheft.gov immediately. Place a fraud alert with the credit bureaus, consider a credit freeze, and monitor your accounts closely. You may also want to file an IRS Identity Protection PIN application to prevent fraudulent tax returns in your name.
How can I tell if a tax-related email is legitimate?
The IRS doesn’t initiate contact via email. If you receive an email about taxes, don’t click any links. Instead, go directly to IRS.gov by typing the address into your browser. Any legitimate IRS correspondence will come by mail first.
(Source: Federal Trade Commission)
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