$12.5B
FTC-reported fraud losses in 2024
FTC says consumers reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024.
state tax refund phishing scam
Phishing emails and texts impersonate state tax agencies, claiming the recipient is owed a state refund and directing them to fake portals that harvest personal and financial data.
“tax refund scam”
↑ 204%Key indicators
Usually targetsTaxpayers
Often hitsFreelancers and contractors
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 send region-targeted phishing campaigns impersonating state departments of revenue, using official-looking logos and language about unclaimed refunds.
2
Links in the messages direct victims to convincing replicas of state tax portals where they enter Social Security numbers, driver license data, and bank information.
3
Stolen data is used to file fraudulent state and federal returns or commit broader identity theft.
What to do first
Check your state refund status only through your state's official tax agency website, accessed by typing the URL directly.
Related terms
state tax department phishingfake state refund emailTax season scamsEmailSurgingTaxpayersAdultsState employeesFreelancers and contractorsSmall business ownersPayroll, HR, and finance teamsUnited Statesstate tax department phishingfake state refund email
Real-world example
How this scam plays out in practice
Based on reported patterns. Names and details are illustrative.
The setup
Kenji, 35, a taxpayers, encountered what appeared to be a legitimate tax season scams situation while using Email. Scammers send region-targeted phishing campaigns impersonating state departments of revenue, using official-looking logos and language about unclaimed refunds.
Step 2
What happened next was calculated: Links in the messages direct victims to convincing replicas of state tax portals where they enter Social Security numbers, driver license data, and bank information.
Step 3
The pressure escalated quickly: Stolen data is used to file fraudulent state and federal returns or commit broader identity theft.
The outcome
Kenji realized something was wrong when message claims to be from your state tax department but uses a non-.gov email or url. By that point, significant damage had already been done — money sent, personal information shared, or trust exploited.
The lesson
Check your state refund status only through your state's official tax agency website, accessed by typing the URL directly. Kenji's experience shows why message claims to be from your state tax department but uses a non-.gov email or url and request to verify identity by entering ssn and bank details are the clearest early warning signs.
How to identify it
- Message claims to be from your state tax department but uses a non-.gov email or URL
- Request to verify identity by entering SSN and bank details
- Urgent deadline language claiming the refund will expire if not claimed immediately
- 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
- ✓Check your state refund status only through your state's official tax agency website, accessed by typing the URL directly.
- ✓State tax agencies do not send unsolicited emails or texts requesting personal information.
- ✓Report state tax phishing to your state attorney general and the IRS at [email protected].
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.
- ✓Keep the full sender address, domain, attachments, and—if possible—the raw email headers.
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.
- The Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center reported a 65% increase in state tax agency phishing campaigns during the 2025 filing season across 38 states.
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.
- ✓Check your state refund status only through your state's official tax agency website, accessed by typing the URL directly.
- ✓State tax agencies do not send unsolicited emails or texts requesting personal information.
- ✓Report state tax phishing to your state attorney general and the IRS at [email protected].
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.
The Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center reported a 65% increase in state tax agency phishing campaigns during the 2025 filing season across 38 states.
MS-ISAC 2025 Annual Threat Report
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, Adults, State employees
Geographic concentration
United States
Primary channel
Email — 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
- The Multi-State Information Sharing and Analysis Center reported a 65% increase in state tax agency phishing campaigns during the 2025 filing season across 38 states.
Source notes
- MS-ISAC 2025 Annual Threat Report
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about state tax refund phishing scam
How does the state tax refund phishing scam work?+
Scammers send region-targeted phishing campaigns impersonating state departments of revenue, using official-looking logos and language about unclaimed refunds. Links in the messages direct victims to convincing replicas of state tax portals where they enter Social Security numbers, driver license data, and bank information. Stolen data is used to file fraudulent state and federal returns or commit broader identity theft.
What are the warning signs of state tax refund phishing scam?+
Message claims to be from your state tax department but uses a non-.gov email or URL Request to verify identity by entering SSN and bank details Urgent deadline language claiming the refund will expire if not claimed immediately
What should I do if I encounter state tax refund phishing scam?+
Check your state refund status only through your state's official tax agency website, accessed by typing the URL directly. State tax agencies do not send unsolicited emails or texts requesting personal information. Report state tax phishing to your state attorney general and the IRS at [email protected].
Who is most at risk for state tax refund phishing scam?+
This scam primarily targets Taxpayers, Adults, State employees. It is most commonly reported in United States and typically appears on Email.
Is state tax refund phishing scam getting worse?+
state tax refund phishing scam is currently surging — reports are increasing rapidly. It has been reported across US. Last updated 2026-04-04.
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Help someone avoid this scam.
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