Tax season brings an increase in calculated schemes to steal money and personal information through spoofed messages and other means. There has been an increase in fraud attempts that exploit the conflict in Ukraine, which has increased fears of potential cyberattacks on American companies. If you know what's out there, you can protect yourself. This is a guide.

The IRS doesn't make first contact with taxpayers by email, text messages, or social media channels, but they can request personal and financial information. phishing attempts to steal money and identities are deceptive.

If the I.R.S. needs your attention, it starts with a notice by regular mail.

The I.R.S. won't send you messages about auditing returns, sendingStimulus payments, or Canceling your Social Security number. The agency says that written notification is sent first.

An obviously spoofed sender line is just one of many clues that this email is not from the Internal Revenue Service, which is frequently impersonated by fraudsters in Covid-relief and spring tax-filing scams.
ImageAn obviously spoofed sender line is just one of many clues that this email is not from the Internal Revenue Service, which is frequently impersonated by fraudsters in Covid-relief and spring tax-filing scams.
An obviously spoofed sender line is just one of many clues that this email is not from the Internal Revenue Service, which is frequently impersonated by fraudsters in Covid-relief and spring tax-filing scams.Credit...no

The use of spoofed agency numbers and forged I.R.S. agent identification is a common scam. The agency usually first sends a notice by mail. It doesn't call suddenly to discuss tax refunds, threaten arrest by local law enforcement or demand immediate payment in a specific form. Tax bills are paid to the U.S. Treasury and not directly to agents, but they do require funds in iTunes or Amazon gift cards, electronic cash or wire transfer.

There is a lengthy list of current and classic tax scam on the official irs.gov site. There is a guide on the site for verification of real I.R.S. agents.

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Natural disasters and humanitarian crises, such as the Covid-19 Pandemic and the war in Ukraine, are quickly taken advantage of by opportunists. It is a good idea to be cautious of messages from unfamiliar organizations requesting donations by credit card or cryptocurrencies. Unless you know the person behind the campaign, you should avoid it.

Most browsers have a setting to warn you about malicious websites, but always research the charities you’re considering. Google Chrome, shown here, has an “enhanced” browsing-safety option in its settings.
ImageMost browsers have a setting to warn you about malicious websites, but always research the charities you’re considering. Google Chrome, shown here, has an “enhanced” browsing-safety option in its settings.
Most browsers have a setting to warn you about malicious websites, but always research the charities you’re considering. Google Chrome, shown here, has an “enhanced” browsing-safety option in its settings.Credit...Google
Gmail, shown here, and Outlook include menu options for quickly reporting (and eventually blocking) spam and phishing messages.
ImageGmail, shown here, and Outlook include menu options for quickly reporting (and eventually blocking) spam and phishing messages.
Gmail, shown here, and Outlook include menu options for quickly reporting (and eventually blocking) spam and phishing messages.Credit...Google

It is easy to spot fraud attempts. There are instant red flags when it comes to Typo-laden messages, impersonal correspondence from Gmail and Yahoo accounts, and voice mail messages left in robotic computer speech. The fake invoices and forged PayPal notices are still popular.

Junk filters and blocking unwanted calls and text senders can help you avoid many scam artists. Allow callers to go to voice mail. Wirecutter has a guide to fighting the calls.

Make sure your browser is set to block pop-up messages. Don't install apps from unknown developers, and keep your computer safe. It's likely that the attachment is a piece of software. If you have concerns about an account, open your browser and go to the company's website.

If you don’t already block unknown callers, voice mail systems that can transcribe messages (like the iPhone, shown here, and Google Voice) give you the option to skip the call and check for spam (and scams) later.
ImageIf you don’t already block unknown callers, voice mail systems that can transcribe messages (like the iPhone, shown here, and Google Voice) give you the option to skip the call and check for spam (and scams) later.
If you don’t already block unknown callers, voice mail systems that can transcribe messages (like the iPhone, shown here, and Google Voice) give you the option to skip the call and check for spam (and scams) later.Credit...Apple

The site of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has a detailed page on frauds. Even if you've been practicing safe computing for a long time, you may have a friend or relative who isn't as tech savvy.

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