With the 2026 tax season beginning January 26, you’ll soon be seeing plenty of advertisements about getting professional help filing your return. You may even have consultants reach out to you directly, saying they can assist you with a sudden tax issue that has popped up. Sounds promising? Unfortunately, this is part of a frequent tax scam where criminals pose as tax consultants. Now experts are warning Americans to watch for several red flags that could lead to drained bank accounts and identity theft. Find out more about this attempted fraud below and how to protect yourself.
What is this tax consultant scam?
Tax season can be both overwhelming and stressful, so it comes as no surprise that fraudsters use it as the perfect opportunity to target Americans under the guise of trying to help. In one increasingly common scam, the bad actors are calling people and claiming to be with US Tax Consultants.
“They’re telling you that they can help you resolve tax issues or request penalty waivers and enroll in relief programs,” Brielle Blanchard, Interim CEO of the Better Business Bureau of Acadiana, told KLFY.com.
It may be tempting to accept their help, but here’s the truth: These aren’t certified accountants—they’re criminals.
How the scam unfolds
So how do these scammers operate? In order to reach as many people as possible, the criminals will use various communication channels, like phone calls, voicemails, text messages and emails. Regardless of which method they choose, they will typically tell you they are reaching out about back taxes and missing filings.
Like other phishing scams, the fraudsters will also convey a sense of urgency to get you to respond as quickly as possible. They’re hoping you’ll act before you realize you are being duped.
Here’s what one scammer’s message looked like: “With important deadlines approaching, do not make another payment until we’ve spoken again,” a “Jessica from US Tax Consultants” said in a voicemail message shared on Reddit. You’re then encouraged to call the provided telephone number to get the situation resolved.
When you reach back out, they will eventually ask for your banking information, Social Security number and other sensitive data that they assure is necessary to get the tax problem resolved. In reality, they are collecting that information to drain your bank account, commit identity theft or both–and there was never an issue with your taxes in the first place.
Warning signs that could save you
Protecting yourself from tax scams like this starts with knowing what to look for. Here are the key warning signs that should make you hang up immediately:
If a tax company promises “too good to be true” offers for tax relief, it is often an indication that it’s someone running a scam. Fraudsters also like to create a sense of urgency, so any claims that there is a deadline related to an unexpected tax issue should set off warning bells.
When in doubt, verify the company’s legitimacy by doing a search online. You can also consult a trusted tax professional if you worry there might be an issue with your taxes, and they can look into it for you.
Also smart: “Contact the IRS if you have any questions or are concerned about something before giving anyone payment information or paying any upfront fees to these companies,” Blanchard told KLFY.com.
What to do if you’ve been victimized
If you engaged with a “representative” from US Tax Consultants and provided sensitive information, don’t panic! Staying calm and being proactive can help to limit damage.
Here’s your best course of action:
- Place a fraud alert or credit freeze with the major credit reporting agencies (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion).
- Contact your bank or credit card company if you gave away money. (If not, monitor your accounts for unusual activity.)
- Change passwords for any financial or tax-related accounts.
- File a report with IdentityTheft.gov for a personalized action plan if you believe your identity is at risk.
Most importantly, don’t be afraid to ask for help if you’ve been a victim. Getting support isn’t just smart—it’s the fastest way to bounce back and protect your future.
