$12.5B
FTC-reported fraud losses in 2024
FTC says consumers reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024.
tax transcript request phishing scam
Phishing emails impersonate the IRS or tax software providers, directing victims to fake sites where they enter credentials to download a tax transcript, which is then used for identity theft.
“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 emails mimicking IRS branding, claiming the recipient's tax transcript is available and providing a link to download it.
2
The link leads to a replica of the IRS Get Transcript portal that captures login credentials and personal identifiers.
3
With IRS account access, criminals can view prior returns, change bank deposit information, and file fraudulent returns.
What to do first
Access your tax transcript only through irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript — never through emailed links.
Related terms
IRS transcript phishingfake Get Transcript scamTax season scamsEmailSurgingTaxpayersAccountantsSmall business ownersFreelancers and contractorsSmall business ownersPayroll, HR, and finance teamsUnited StatesIRS transcript phishingfake Get Transcript scam
Real-world example
How this scam plays out in practice
Based on reported patterns. Names and details are illustrative.
The setup
Timothy, 35, a taxpayers, encountered what appeared to be a legitimate tax season scams situation while using Email. Scammers send emails mimicking IRS branding, claiming the recipient's tax transcript is available and providing a link to download it.
Step 2
What happened next was calculated: The link leads to a replica of the IRS Get Transcript portal that captures login credentials and personal identifiers.
Step 3
The pressure escalated quickly: With IRS account access, criminals can view prior returns, change bank deposit information, and file fraudulent returns.
The outcome
Timothy realized something was wrong when email claims your tax transcript is ready for download with a link to a non-irs website. By that point, significant damage had already been done — money sent, personal information shared, or trust exploited.
The lesson
Access your tax transcript only through irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript — never through emailed links. Timothy's experience shows why email claims your tax transcript is ready for download with a link to a non-irs website and the site asks for your irs username, password, and social security number are the clearest early warning signs.
How to identify it
- Email claims your tax transcript is ready for download with a link to a non-IRS website
- The site asks for your IRS username, password, and Social Security number
- Email uses IRS logos but comes from a non-.gov email address
- 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
- ✓Access your tax transcript only through irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript — never through emailed links.
- ✓Enable multi-factor authentication on your IRS online account.
- ✓Forward phishing emails to [email protected] then delete them.
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 IRS reported that phishing emails impersonating the Get Transcript service increased 78% in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024.
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.
- ✓Access your tax transcript only through irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript — never through emailed links.
- ✓Enable multi-factor authentication on your IRS online account.
- ✓Forward phishing emails to [email protected] then delete them.
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 IRS reported that phishing emails impersonating the Get Transcript service increased 78% in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024.
IRS Dirty Dozen Tax Scams 2025
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, Accountants, Small business owners
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 IRS reported that phishing emails impersonating the Get Transcript service increased 78% in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024.
Source notes
- IRS Dirty Dozen Tax Scams 2025
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about tax transcript request phishing scam
How does the tax transcript request phishing scam work?+
Scammers send emails mimicking IRS branding, claiming the recipient's tax transcript is available and providing a link to download it. The link leads to a replica of the IRS Get Transcript portal that captures login credentials and personal identifiers. With IRS account access, criminals can view prior returns, change bank deposit information, and file fraudulent returns.
What are the warning signs of tax transcript request phishing scam?+
Email claims your tax transcript is ready for download with a link to a non-IRS website The site asks for your IRS username, password, and Social Security number Email uses IRS logos but comes from a non-.gov email address
What should I do if I encounter tax transcript request phishing scam?+
Access your tax transcript only through irs.gov/individuals/get-transcript — never through emailed links. Enable multi-factor authentication on your IRS online account. Forward phishing emails to [email protected] then delete them.
Who is most at risk for tax transcript request phishing scam?+
This scam primarily targets Taxpayers, Accountants, Small business owners. It is most commonly reported in United States and typically appears on Email.
Is tax transcript request phishing scam getting worse?+
tax transcript request 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.
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.
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