Tax Risk 5
False promises of large refunds or "special" credits
Tax Risk 5
False promises of large refunds or "special" credits
How it works
Scammers advertise guaranteed refunds, announce new (fake) credits, or share false insider strategies for filing your tax return via social media, email, or referrals. They may then request a fee for information, harvest your personal details, or file an aggressive return that creates future legal and financial exposure for you.
Red flags to watch for
- Communications that "guarantee" refunds or credits without reviewing your full situation
- You are not given any written engagement letter or clear professional identity
- You receive requests for full identity documents too early
- You are pressured to act immediately "before the program ends"
How to prevent an attack
- Treat "too good to be true" as a stop sign; legitimate tax outcomes require real documentation
- Insist on transparency and written explanations
- Keep document sharing to an absolute minimum until you trust the professional
How BlackCloak can help
BlackCloak helps you avoid the "easy access" problem that makes refund and credit scams work. We reduce the amount of personal information that's publicly available, which criminals use to sound credible and to complete fraudulent paperwork.
We also help you lock down accounts that matter most during tax season, including email and financial accounts, and monitor for exposed passwords. When an offer arrives that feels off, our Concierge Team can help you pressure-test it before you share anything sensitive.
