Tax Season Scams: Outsmarting AI-Powered Fraud Before It Outsmarts You

Forbes - Mar 15th, 2025

In 2025, cybercriminals have significantly escalated their tactics during tax season by using AI and deepfake technologies to craft highly convincing scams. These sophisticated attacks include AI-generated phishing emails, voice-cloned calls, and even deepfake videos impersonating IRS agents and tax professionals. The result is a substantial increase in fraudulent activities, with fake IRS calls using voice cloning rising by 150%. This development poses a severe threat not only to individuals but also to small businesses and large firms, which are being targeted with spear-phishing campaigns aimed at compromising sensitive information.

This evolution in cybercrime tactics highlights the growing threat landscape powered by advanced technology, making it increasingly difficult for victims to discern real from fake. Consequently, identity theft and fraudulent tax return filings have surged, leading to financial and reputational damage. Experts emphasize the need for heightened vigilance, urging individuals and businesses to adopt robust cybersecurity practices, such as using multi-factor authentication, encrypting sensitive documents, and staying informed about the latest threats. This proactive approach is crucial to mitigating risks in an era where traditional scam indicators are becoming obsolete.

Ai Cybersecurity Irs Identity Theft Phishing Deepfakes Tax Scams Voice Cloning Casey Ellis Adam Khan James Turgal Dustin Brewer Ira Winkler

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

6.4

Moderately Fair

Read with skepticism

The article provides a timely and relevant exploration of the evolving threats posed by AI-driven tax scams. It effectively highlights the sophistication of modern cybercriminal tactics, drawing attention to the need for increased vigilance and cybersecurity measures. While the narrative is clear and engaging, the article would benefit from more precise data and citations from authoritative sources to enhance its credibility. Additionally, incorporating perspectives from law enforcement or government agencies could provide a more balanced view of the issue. Overall, the story successfully raises awareness about an important public concern, though it could further strengthen its impact by offering actionable insights and policy recommendations.

Accuracy

The story presents a plausible scenario of cybercriminals using AI and deepfake technologies to exploit tax season, which aligns with known trends in cybersecurity threats. However, specific figures such as the $37 billion in tax and financial crimes identified in fiscal year 2023 require verification from IRS sources. The claim of a 150% increase in fake IRS calls using voice cloning also needs corroboration from official reports or cybersecurity studies. While the general premise is credible, the story would benefit from more precise data and citations to support its claims.

Balance

The article predominantly focuses on the threats posed by cybercriminals and the technological advancements they leverage. While it provides insights from various cybersecurity experts, it lacks perspectives from law enforcement or government agencies like the IRS, which could offer a more comprehensive view of the issue. The emphasis is heavily on the risks and less on potential solutions or success stories in combating these scams, which could provide a more balanced narrative.

Clarity

The article is well-structured and uses clear language to convey the seriousness of AI-driven tax scams. It effectively explains complex concepts like deepfakes and synthetic identities in an accessible manner. The use of quotes from experts adds to the clarity, providing authoritative voices that reinforce the narrative. However, some sections could benefit from additional context to aid comprehension, especially for readers unfamiliar with cybersecurity terminologies.

Source quality

The story cites several cybersecurity professionals and companies, such as Casey Ellis from Bugcrowd and Adam Khan from Barracuda. However, it does not provide direct links to studies or reports that could substantiate the claims made. The reliance on expert opinions without supporting data or primary sources from authoritative bodies like the IRS or law enforcement agencies diminishes the overall credibility of the information presented.

Transparency

The article does not clearly disclose the methodology or sources behind some of its key claims, such as the financial impact of scams or the increase in voice cloning incidents. While it quotes experts, it lacks transparency regarding how these experts derive their insights or data. Providing more context on the basis of these claims would enhance the article's transparency and help readers understand the reliability of the information.