As if tax time is not stressful enough, you must increasingly be aware of fraudsters and scammers trying to steal your identity and your money under the guise of legitimate IRS activity. Yearly, the IRS warns of the top frauds and scams about which you should be mindful when filing your taxes.

A recurring top concern is identity theft. Tax related identity theft happens when someone uses your stolen social security number to file a tax return and obtain a fraudulent refund. Warning signs that your social security number has been misused include multiple tax returns being filed under your social security number (your e-file return may be rejected as a duplicate filing); owing additional taxes, a refund offset, or finding a collections action for a year in which you did not file a return; and, IRS records showing incorrect employment information.

Your identity can be stolen in a number of ways, and the top methods used at tax time are phone scams, phishing scams, and data breaches. Data breaches are relatively straightforward when discovered and the targeted company should notify you of exactly what information was compromised.

Telephone scams have become sophisticated with criminals using technology to alter caller ID numbers, and using fake names and false IRS badge numbers to intimidate taxpayers. Callers have a history of leaving urgent messages and even threatening arrest by local police unless the taxpayer makes immediate payment. The caller may entice the taxpayer into divulging private information by stating a refund is due. Be aware that the telephone call itself is the first clue the caller is a scammer. The IRS does not make telephone calls demanding payment and does not make calls about taxes owed without first sending tax bill information by mail. Furthermore, the IRS does not require payment by any specific means (like a pre-paid debit card), does not ask for credit card or debit card information over the phone, and will not threaten to have you arrested.

Phishing scams arise in emails and on bogus websites that look like official IRS communications or sites, but are really attempts to steal your personal information for fraudulent purposes. Individual emails direct taxpayers to fake IRS websites that allow a criminal to intercept private information. Phishing messages sent to tax preparers often link to a fake website asking for updated Electronic Filing Identification Numbers, which are collected and fraudulently used. Consumers should be wary of any emails from the IRS, however, as the Agency’s first communication to you will never be an email.

You can help fight the fraudsters and scammers by reporting suspicious phone calls to the IRS’s Treasury Inspector General at 1-800-366-4484 or online, and by filing a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission. Report phishing emails to the IRS via email at [email protected]. If your Social Security number was compromised due to a data breach, submit an Identity Theft Affidavit to the IRS.