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Tax scams through the years and what to know this year

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Tax scams through the years and what to know this year

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Tax scams rarely stay the same for long. Each filing season brings new tactics designed to trick taxpayers into revealing personal information or claiming refunds they are not entitled to receive. In recent years, fraud tied to unemployment systems, stimulus payments and identity theft caught many taxpayers by surprise. Some people did not discover the problem until their legitimate tax return was rejected, or unexpected tax forms arrived in the mail.

Two years later, promoters marketed confusing credits such as the Employee Retention Credit to businesses that did not qualify, collecting fees to file improper claims. By 2025, misleading guidance spread widely on social media, encouraging taxpayers to misuse forms like 4136 or modify wage information through consumer tax software.

Each of these scams relies on confusion around tax rules and filing systems. Understanding how they work can help you spot red flags before submitting your return this year.

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IRS WARNS TAXPAYERS OF NEW MAILING REFUND SCAM
 

Tax scams have evolved from unemployment fraud to social media “tax hacks,” with the IRS warning of new threats for the 2026 filing season. (Michael Bocchieri/Getty Images)

2021 tax scams: Unemployment fraud and stimulus payment theft

In 2021, identity theft linked to unemployment programs created widespread tax problems. Criminals used stolen Social Security numbers to file benefit claims through state systems. Because unemployment income is taxable, Form 1099-G notices were sent to victims for payments they never received. The IRS advised taxpayers not to report fraudulent income and to contact the issuing state agency to correct the records.

Stimulus payments were also targeted. Scammers filed early tax returns using stolen personal data to claim Recovery Rebate Credits or redirect refunds. When legitimate filers later submitted their returns, some were rejected because a return tied to their Social Security number had already been processed. Federal agencies, including the FBI, warned of high levels of unemployment fraud during this period. The IRS also encouraged taxpayers to sign up for an Identity Protection PIN, which adds an extra layer of verification when filing.

Worried your SSN may have been stolen? Many tax fraud cases begin with data pulled from breaches. You can run a free scan with our top Identity Theft Protection pick to check whether your information appears in known data-leak records. The scan looks for matches tied to your email address and shows the results in real time. See my tips and best picks on Best Identity Theft Protection at Cyberguy.com.

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2023 tax scam warning: Ghost preparers filing fraudulent returns

The IRS later flagged a rise in returns prepared by so-called ghost preparers. These individuals charge fees to prepare tax returns but refuse to sign them or include a valid Preparer Tax Identification Number. Under federal tax rules, anyone paid to prepare a return must sign it. When a preparer does not, the taxpayer, not the preparer, remains responsible for the filing.

In many flagged cases, ghost preparers inflated tax credits, fabricated income figures or altered withholding amounts to generate larger refunds. Some charged fees based on the size of the refund, which created an incentive to push questionable claims rather than follow tax rules.

2025 tax scams: Social media tax ‘hacks’ and improper filings

By 2025, misleading tax advice began circulating widely on short-form video platforms and social media. Some posts encouraged people to file Form 4136 to claim a fuel tax credit for gasoline used in personal vehicles. The IRS says this credit applies only to certain business and off-highway uses, not everyday driving. Filing the form improperly can trigger an IRS review.

Other posts instructed taxpayers to modify wage or withholding numbers inside consumer tax software to inflate refund amounts. The IRS has repeatedly warned that taxpayers remain responsible for the accuracy of their returns, regardless of where the advice originated. Filing incorrect income information or claiming unsupported credits can delay refunds and potentially lead to penalties. 

ELON MUSK ALLEGES $50B IN FRAUD AT TREASURY AFTER JUDGE BLOCKS DOGE AUDIT

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Identity theft and fraudulent tax filings remain top concerns for the Internal Revenue Service as criminals exploit confusion around credits and filing rules. (Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

2026 IRS warning: Tax scams expected this filing season

The IRS recently released its 2026 “Dirty Dozen” list of tax scams it expects to circulate during the filing season. Phishing and text message scams remain among the most common threats. Scammers often impersonate the IRS or tax software companies and claim there is a refund issue or account problem in an attempt to collect Social Security numbers, bank details or login credentials.

The agency emphasizes that it does not initiate contact through email, text messages or social media to request sensitive information. The 2026 list also includes ghost preparers and misleading tax advice shared online, including content that pushes improper credit claims. Identity theft refund fraud remains part of the enforcement picture, with criminals filing returns using stolen data before legitimate taxpayers do.

How to protect yourself from tax scams

A few simple habits can reduce your risk during filing season.

1) Monitor your personal data and credit activity

Identity theft refund fraud remains a major concern. Criminals sometimes file tax returns using stolen personal information before the legitimate taxpayer submits theirs. Because many tax fraud cases begin with personal data exposed in breaches, keeping track of where your information appears online can help you catch warning signs earlier. 

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Identity theft services scan known data breach records for matches tied to your email address, Social Security number and other identifiers.

These services also monitor credit files across the three major U.S. credit bureaus and alert you to new accounts, hard inquiries or other changes to your credit report. If suspicious activity appears, members receive real-time alerts as soon as it is detected.

See my tips and best picks on Best Identity Theft Protection at Cyberguy.com.

2) Work only with legitimate tax preparers

Anyone paid to prepare a tax return must sign it and include a valid Preparer Tax Identification Number. Avoid preparers who promise unusually large refunds or refuse to sign your return.

3) Ignore unexpected IRS messages

The IRS does not contact taxpayers through email, text messages or social media to request personal information. Messages claiming to be from the IRS asking for sensitive data are usually scams.

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AVERAGE TAX REFUND TOPS $3,700 MIDWAY THROUGH FILING SEASON, TREASURY SAYS
 

From stimulus payment theft to ghost preparers, taxpayers face shifting fraud tactics each year during tax season. (John Moore/Getty Images)

4) File your return early

Identity thieves often attempt to file fraudulent tax returns before the real taxpayer does. Filing earlier in the season can reduce that risk.

5) Consider an IRS Identity Protection PIN

This six-digit code adds an extra layer of security to your tax return. Without it, criminals cannot file a return using your Social Security number.

What to do if someone files a tax return in your name

If the IRS rejects your return because one has already been filed using your Social Security number, you may need to complete IRS Form 14039, Identity Theft Affidavit. The IRS may also require identity verification before processing your return. In some cases, affected taxpayers must submit a paper return while the agency investigates the suspected fraud.

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Kurt’s key takeaways

Tax scams change every year, but the pattern stays the same. Criminals look for confusion around tax rules, new programs or trending online advice and use that uncertainty to push fraudulent claims or steal personal information. The best protection is slowing down before you file. Verify tax advice through trusted sources such as the IRS, work only with legitimate tax preparers and keep a close eye on your personal data and credit activity. A little caution during filing season can help prevent months of headaches if your return gets flagged for fraud.

Have you ever received a suspicious tax message, questionable filing advice online or discovered a tax return filed in your name? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.

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Backrooms is a certified blockbuster with a $38 million opening day

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Backrooms is a certified blockbuster with a  million opening day

The Kane Parsons’ film Backrooms is expected to earn up to $90 million in its opening weekend after pulling down $38 million on Friday alone. That’s not only above expectations, but absolutely obliterates A24’s previous opening weekend record of $25.5 million for Alex Garland’s Civil War. It’s also a better opening day than The Mandalorian and Grogu, which only pulled down $33.7 million on its way to a total $81.6 million for the weekend.

That also means that Backrooms is an incredibly profitable movie, with an estimated $10 million budget. By comparison, the latest Star Wars disappointment cost $165 million and was considered affordable compared to other entries in the series.

While Backrooms hasn’t received quite as much universal praise as fellow low-budget horror breakout Obsession, it’s still largely getting positive reviews. It also adds to the growing number of YouTube creators (including Obsession’s Curry Barker) who have proven to be successful box office draws.

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Cab-less electric trucks hit Ohio roads

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Cab-less electric trucks hit Ohio roads

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A freight truck with no driver, no cab and no one sitting behind the wheel is starting to sound more familiar. In fact, this summer, that is exactly what is happening on local roads in Marysville, Ohio.

EASE Logistics, an Ohio-based logistics company, is partnering with autonomous truck technology company Einride to deploy two cab-less electric trucks between EASE warehouse locations. The two companies recently announced the proof-of-concept service.

The trucks will operate on EASE property and local public roads. They will move goods between warehouse locations while the companies collect data on warehousing, distribution and transportation operations.

The project is part of the Ohio Department of Transportation’s DriveOhio Truck Automation Corridor Project, in partnership with the Indiana Department of Transportation. The goal is to study how autonomous trucking affects operations, safety and freight efficiency.

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AI TRUCK SYSTEM MATCHES TOP HUMAN DRIVERS IN MASSIVE SAFETY SHOWDOWN WITH PERFECT SCORES

Autonomous cab-less electric trucks are beginning real-world freight testing this summer on local roads in Marysville, Ohio, as EASE Logistics and Einride launch a new pilot program. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

What are cab-less electric trucks?

These are not regular trucks with a driver waiting to take over. Einride’s vehicles are electric, autonomous and cab-less. That means there is no traditional driver’s seat, steering wheel area or cab built for a human operator.

The trucks use SAE Level 4 autonomous technology. In other words, the vehicle can drive itself under specific approved conditions without a human driver inside.

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However, the trucks will still have human oversight. A remote operator will monitor them from off-site and can intervene when needed. The companies say that setup helps keep operations running safely and smoothly during the test.

Where will the autonomous trucks operate?

The trucks will move freight between EASE Logistics warehouses in Marysville, Ohio. They will operate during the summer of 2026 on private property and local public roads.

That detail makes a difference because many autonomous vehicle tests happen in controlled settings. This project moves closer to normal freight work. These trucks will operate inside daily logistics

EASE says the deployment will generate data on how autonomous trucks affect warehouse movement, distribution timing and transportation operations. The companies want to see how this technology performs in the real world, where freight schedules and traffic conditions rarely behave perfectly.

THE ROAD TO PROSPERITY WILL BE PAVED BY AUTONOMOUS TRUCKING

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EASE Logistics and Einride will operate driverless electric freight trucks between Ohio warehouse locations while collecting data on safety, efficiency and logistics operations. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Why Ohio is testing cab-less electric trucks

Ohio has become an active testing ground for truck automation. This deployment extends the Ohio Department of Transportation and DriveOhio’s Truck Automation Corridor Project, in partnership with the Indiana Department of Transportation. The project is designed to evaluate how autonomous technology affects operations, safety and freight efficiency.

EASE President and CEO Peter Coratola, Jr., said, “EASE is proud to continue advancing the Truck Automation Corridor Project alongside DriveOhio and innovative partners like Einride.” He added, “Deployments like this help move autonomous trucking from controlled pilots into daily freight operations, where safety, reliability, and efficiency can be evaluated at scale.”

This also marks EASE Logistics’ third autonomous trucking deployment with DriveOhio. That puts the company among a small group of logistics providers testing multiple autonomous freight platforms in live operations.

How safe are cab-less electric trucks?

When people hear “driverless truck,” their first thought may not be efficiency. It may be, “What happens if something goes wrong?”

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That reaction is fair. These vehicles are large, heavy and operate near the public. So safety will shape how people judge this project.

Einride CEO Roozbeh Charli said, “Deploying these autonomous trucks in daily logistics operations with EASE reflects years of rigorous development and real-world validation.” He added, “Safety is not a feature we add to our technology; it is the foundation everything is built on.”

The companies also say a remote operator monitors the trucks off-site and can intervene if needed. That detail helps, but the public will still want clear answers about routes, oversight, emergency response and how remote operators step in. Those answers will become more important as autonomous trucks leave closed test areas and enter everyday traffic.

Why companies want driverless freight

For logistics companies, the appeal is easy to understand. Electric autonomous trucks could help move freight with fewer emissions, more predictable scheduling and tighter warehouse coordination.

Short warehouse-to-warehouse routes also make sense for early autonomous deployments. The route is limited. The operation is easier to study. The company can collect useful data without starting with long-haul trucking across several states.

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Still, the rollout will need to prove itself. Trucks must handle traffic, road conditions, pedestrians and unexpected behavior from human drivers. Those moments will test whether autonomous freight can deliver on its promise.

The future of autonomous trucking

Autonomous trucking has moved from bold promise to real-world testing. Yet the industry still has to earn public confidence.

This Ohio deployment gives EASE, Einride and transportation officials a chance to gather useful data. It also gives the public a closer look at what driverless freight looks like.

The cab-less design may be the most striking part. Removing the cab signals a bigger shift. These trucks are built around the idea that the vehicle, software and remote operations team can handle the job.

That marks a major change in how freight has worked for generations.

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 TESLA BUILDS A CAR WITH NO STEERING WHEEL. NOW WHAT?

Ohio officials are expanding autonomous freight testing with cab-less electric trucks operating on public roads under remote human supervision this summer. (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

What this means to you

You may not live near Marysville, Ohio. Still, this test matters because it shows where freight transportation is heading.

If the project works well, more companies could look at autonomous trucks for warehouse-to-warehouse routes. That could change how goods move before they ever reach store shelves or your front door.

It could also raise new questions for workers. Logistics companies may need more people who can monitor, maintain and manage autonomous systems. At the same time, drivers and warehouse workers will want honest answers about how these trucks could affect jobs over time.

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For consumers, the biggest issue may be trust. People will want proof that these vehicles can operate safely around regular traffic. They will also want transparency when something goes wrong.

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Kurt’s key takeaways

Cab-less electric trucks on Ohio roads may sound alarming at first. But this project shows how quickly autonomous freight is moving into real logistics work. The EASE and Einride deployment still has plenty to prove. Safety, public trust, worker impact and day-to-day reliability will all matter. However, this summer’s test could give the trucking industry a clearer look at what comes next. Driverless freight may start with short warehouse routes. Over time, it could reshape how goods move across the country.

Would you feel comfortable sharing the road with a cab-less electric truck if no driver was inside, but a remote operator was watching from miles away?  Let us know by writing to us at CyberGuy.com.

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Nvidia, Microsoft, and Arm are all teasing Nvidia’s new N1X laptop processors

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Nvidia, Microsoft, and Arm are all teasing Nvidia’s new N1X laptop processors

It’s the world’s worst kept secret that Nvidia is about to announce its own Arm-powered laptop chips at Computex this weekend, and now Microsoft, Nvidia, and Arm are all openly teasing the announcement. The Windows and Nvidia GeForce accounts on X both posted “A new era of PC” earlier today, and now Arm has followed up with an identical post.

All three posts include coordinates pointing to where Computex is hosted in Taipei. Nvidia is holding a Computex keynote in Taipei at 8PM PT / 11PM ET on Sunday night, where it’s rumored to be announcing its new N1 and N1x laptop chips.

These Arm-powered Nvidia processors have been long-rumored, with reports earlier this year suggesting that both Lenovo and Dell have been preparing new laptops with the N1X chips. We first heard rumors about Nvidia’s laptop processors in 2023, and Dell CEO Michael Dell hinted at the possibility of an AI PC with Nvidia during an interview in 2024.

Nvidia’s entry into Windows on Arm will mean Qualcomm will no longer have an exclusive license for Microsoft’s Windows 11 Arm variant of its operating system. That’s good news for laptop competition, even if Qualcomm is trying to keep entry-level laptops affordable with its new Snapdragon C platform.

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