The IRS’s 2023 Dirty Dozen: Trust no one

This year’s IRS Dirty Dozen offers scams both familiar and new. ID theft is a frequent motivation. Crooked tech and equally crooked tax preparers make what seem to be their unfailing appearances again this year, backed up by a chorus of relative newcomers such as social media, pandemic-relief hucksters and even a specialized tax credit.

Through many of the agency’s warnings, one theme stands out: If help seems too good to be true, run.

“Scammers are coming up with new ways all the time to try to steal information from taxpayers,” said IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel in a statement.

Sit back, relax, and don’t say nobody warned you about this year’s 12 dirtiest.