With tax season in full swing, scammers are ramping up their game and impersonating IRS officials at alarming rates. These fraudsters use phone calls, emails, and text messages to trick people into revealing sensitive financial information or making urgent wire transfers.

Crypto investors, in particular, should stay vigilant. Scammers know that tax implications for digital asset transactions can confuse newcomers, and they exploit this uncertainty. They might claim you owe back taxes on unreported crypto gains, threaten legal action, or demand immediate payment to avoid penalties.

Here's the reality: the IRS never initiates contact via phone, email, or text to demand immediate payment. They always send official notice by mail first. If someone claiming to represent the IRS is pressuring you, it's almost certainly a scam.

Protect yourself by verifying any tax-related claims through the official IRS website (irs.gov), using independently verified phone numbers only. Never share private keys, seed phrases, wallet information, or financial details with anyone claiming government authority. Double-check email addresses carefully—scammers often use addresses that look almost identical to legitimate ones. Stay alert, stay skeptical, and remember: your crypto portfolio's security depends on it.