$12.5B
FTC-reported fraud losses in 2024
FTC says consumers reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024.
amended return scam
Scammers contact taxpayers claiming they qualify for a larger refund by filing an amended return, then charge fees and steal personal information in the process.
“tax refund scam”
↑ 204%Key indicators
Usually targetsTaxpayers
Often hitsRetirees and seniors
Common regionUnited States
Last updated2026-04-04
Estimated impact
$960
median reported loss
Typical range$60 – $6.0K
Recovery rate~15%
Scam breakdown
1
Scammers cold-call taxpayers or send emails claiming the IRS has identified an overpayment and the victim can receive a larger refund by filing Form 1040-X.
2
They request personal data including SSN, prior return information, and bank details, claiming they need them to process the amendment.
3
The scammer pockets any upfront fees, files a fraudulent amended return to steal the refund, or uses the collected data for identity theft.
What to do first
The IRS does not call to tell you about unclaimed refunds — hang up immediately on such calls.
Related terms
amended return refund scam1040-X fraud schemeTax season scamsPhoneSurgingTaxpayersSeniorsLow-income filersRetirees and seniorsImmigrants and visa holdersOnline shoppersUnited Statesamended return refund scam1040-X fraud scheme
Real-world example
How this scam plays out in practice
Based on reported patterns. Names and details are illustrative.
The setup
Lisa, 35, a taxpayers, encountered what appeared to be a legitimate tax season scams situation while using Phone. Scammers cold-call taxpayers or send emails claiming the IRS has identified an overpayment and the victim can receive a larger refund by filing Form 1040-X.
Step 2
What happened next was calculated: They request personal data including SSN, prior return information, and bank details, claiming they need them to process the amendment.
Step 3
The pressure escalated quickly: The scammer pockets any upfront fees, files a fraudulent amended return to steal the refund, or uses the collected data for identity theft.
The outcome
Lisa realized something was wrong when unsolicited call or email claiming you overpaid taxes and are owed more money. By that point, significant damage had already been done — money sent, personal information shared, or trust exploited.
The lesson
The IRS does not call to tell you about unclaimed refunds — hang up immediately on such calls. Lisa's experience shows why unsolicited call or email claiming you overpaid taxes and are owed more money and caller demands an upfront fee to file the amended return are the clearest early warning signs.
How to identify it
- Unsolicited call or email claiming you overpaid taxes and are owed more money
- Caller demands an upfront fee to file the amended return
- Promise of a guaranteed larger refund without reviewing your actual tax documents
- Pause before paying, clicking, or sharing information. Scammers rely on speed.
- Verify the sender, company, or agency using a phone number or website you already know is legitimate.
- Treat secrecy, urgency, and off-platform payment requests as strong scam signals.
What to do now
- ✓The IRS does not call to tell you about unclaimed refunds — hang up immediately on such calls.
- ✓Only file amended returns through your verified tax preparer or IRS Free File at irs.gov.
- ✓Report the scam to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration at 1-800-366-4484.
What to save before reporting
- ✓Save the message, profile, phone number, email, or URL that was used.
- ✓Keep payment confirmations, receipts, and account alerts before you dispute or delete anything.
- ✓Write down the timeline while the details are still fresh.
- ✓Save the full chat or call log before blocking the sender so the reporting path still has the original context.
How big is this problem
You are not alone — this scam affects millions of people.
These numbers come from government agencies and official reports. If you have been affected, know that this is a widespread problem — not something that only happens to careless people.
FTC 2024 fraud losses
Imposters
Most common FTC fraud category in 2024
FTC says imposter scams remained the most commonly reported fraud category in 2024.
History and evolution
- This scam family tends to persist because the social-engineering pressure works even when the exact scripts, platforms, and payment methods change.
- The specific packaging evolves over time, but the core pattern usually stays the same: create urgency, control the channel, and push action before verification.
- TIGTA reported a 40% increase in complaints about fraudulent amended return services in 2024, with victims losing an average of 1,200 dollars each.
Recovery and follow-up
- ✓Save the messages, receipts, account alerts, and transaction details before you block or delete anything.
- ✓Report the scam through the official platform or government channel that best matches where it happened.
- ✓Tell close contacts if a phone or text scam used your identity, so scammers cannot reuse the same story against people around you.
- ✓The IRS does not call to tell you about unclaimed refunds — hang up immediately on such calls.
- ✓Only file amended returns through your verified tax preparer or IRS Free File at irs.gov.
Why this pattern keeps working
Even when the story changes, most scams still use the same pressure pattern: urgency, authority, and a request to move money or data fast.
TIGTA reported a 40% increase in complaints about fraudulent amended return services in 2024, with victims losing an average of 1,200 dollars each.
TIGTA Semiannual Report to Congress 2024
Where to report it
If you have been targeted by this scam, reporting it helps authorities track the pattern and protect others. United States has dedicated agencies that handle fraud reports.
ReportFraud.gov
Federal Trade Commission
Central U.S. consumer fraud reporting portal.
File an IC3 complaint
FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center
FBI portal for internet-enabled crime reports.
Start identity theft recovery
IdentityTheft.gov
Official U.S. identity theft recovery plan builder.
Explore further
Understand the bigger picture
Who is most at risk
Who this scam targets
Primary targets
Taxpayers, Seniors, Low-income filers
Geographic concentration
United States
Primary channel
Phone — Tax season scams
Why this group is vulnerable
Taxpayers are particularly vulnerable because this scam exploits trust in familiar brands, authority figures, and time-sensitive decisions. The rapid increase in reports suggests that awareness among this demographic remains low.
Sources and methodology
How we verify this information
OpenScam tracks scam patterns using a combination of government consumer protection databases (FTC, IC3, Action Fraud), platform-specific fraud reports, and verified consumer complaint data. Each entry is cross-referenced against at least two independent sources before publication.
Severity ratings are based on financial impact potential, reversibility of damage, and volume of reports across multiple reporting channels. Trend velocity reflects the rate of change in report volume over the most recent 90-day window.
This page was last verified on 2026-04-04. Red flags, recovery steps, and reporting resources are reviewed quarterly against current agency guidance.
Evidence and indicators
- TIGTA reported a 40% increase in complaints about fraudulent amended return services in 2024, with victims losing an average of 1,200 dollars each.
Source notes
- TIGTA Semiannual Report to Congress 2024
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about amended return scam
How does the amended return scam work?+
Scammers cold-call taxpayers or send emails claiming the IRS has identified an overpayment and the victim can receive a larger refund by filing Form 1040-X. They request personal data including SSN, prior return information, and bank details, claiming they need them to process the amendment. The scammer pockets any upfront fees, files a fraudulent amended return to steal the refund, or uses the collected data for identity theft.
What are the warning signs of amended return scam?+
Unsolicited call or email claiming you overpaid taxes and are owed more money Caller demands an upfront fee to file the amended return Promise of a guaranteed larger refund without reviewing your actual tax documents
What should I do if I encounter amended return scam?+
The IRS does not call to tell you about unclaimed refunds — hang up immediately on such calls. Only file amended returns through your verified tax preparer or IRS Free File at irs.gov. Report the scam to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration at 1-800-366-4484.
Who is most at risk for amended return scam?+
This scam primarily targets Taxpayers, Seniors, Low-income filers. It is most commonly reported in United States and typically appears on Phone.
Is amended return scam getting worse?+
amended return scam is currently surging — reports are increasing rapidly. It has been reported across US. Last updated 2026-04-04.
Recent reports
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Help someone avoid this scam.
Scammers succeed because people do not talk about it. If you or someone you know has been affected, there is no shame in it — it happens to millions of people every year. Share this page with friends and family so they know what to look for.