With the 2026 tax filing season underway, the Washoe County Sheriff’s Office is encouraging people to remain vigilant against tax-related scams that continue to impact communities nationwide.
Each year, scammers become more sophisticated in their efforts to steal personal and financial information. Fraudsters often use phone calls, emails, text messages, and social media to impersonate the Internal Revenue Service, tax preparers, or financial institutions. In some cases, they use spoofed phone numbers or official-looking websites to make their messages appear legitimate.
While anyone can be targeted, scammers frequently focus on people they believe may be less familiar with IRS procedures or more likely to respond quickly to urgent demands.
According to the Internal Revenue Service, common scams this year include phishing emails and smishing text messages designed to trick taxpayers into clicking malicious links, false promises of large refunds or tax credits, and threats claiming a warrant, lawsuit, or account suspension is imminent unless immediate payment is made. Scammers may also try to convince people to share login credentials for their IRS online account.
The Sheriff’s Office reminds people that the IRS does not initiate contact through email, text message, or social media to request personal or financial information. The agency does not demand immediate payment using gift cards, wire transfers, prepaid debit cards, or cryptocurrency, and does not threaten arrest or law enforcement action over the phone. Official IRS contact typically begins with a letter sent through the U.S. Mail.
The Sheriff's Office recommends filing tax returns as early as possible to help reduce the risk of identity theft-related fraud. People should verify information directly through the official IRS website at https://www.irs.gov/help/tax-scams and avoid clicking unsolicited links or sharing personal information with unknown sources.
Anyone who believes a tax scam has targeted them is encouraged to report it to the IRS and contact local law enforcement. The Washoe County Sheriff's Office says sharing information about scams with family, friends, and colleagues can help prevent others from becoming victims this tax season.
