Technology
Tax season scams 2026: Fake IRS messages stealing identities
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Tax season no longer begins in April. For scammers, it starts the moment the calendar flips to January.
While you’re waiting for your W-2 or 1099 to arrive, cybercriminals are already sending out waves of fake IRS messages, “refund problem” alerts and account verification scams. These messages feel alarmingly real, and that’s not an accident.
The truth is, today’s tax scams don’t rely on random guessing. They rely on your personal data, pulled from online data brokers, public records and previous breaches. And once your information is in circulation, you become part of a high-value target list.
Let’s break down what’s really happening – and how you can protect yourself before the first fake message lands in your inbox.
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ROBINHOOD TEXT SCAM WARNING: DO NOT CALL THIS NUMBER
Tax scammers are targeting Americans as soon as January with fake IRS emails and refund alerts designed to steal personal data. (Photo illustration by Michael Bocchieri/Getty Images)
The new wave of tax scams
Every year, scammers refine their tactics. And every year, they get better at making their messages look legitimate. Here are the most common scams hitting Americans before tax season even peaks:
1) Fake IRS emails and texts
These messages look official. They use real IRS language, government-style formatting and even fake case numbers. You might see something like:
“Your tax account is under review. Immediate action is required to avoid penalties.”
The email may include:
- IRS logos and official-looking headers
- Threatening language about audits or fines
- A link that appears to go to a government website.
But when you click, you’re taken to a fake IRS portal designed to steal:
- Your Social Security number
- Your date of birth
- Your bank account details
- Your IRS login credentials.
Once scammers have that, they can file fake returns, redirect your refund or impersonate you for years.
2) ‘Refund Issue’ alerts
This is one of the most effective tax scams because it preys on something people are already waiting for: their money. The message usually says:
“Your tax refund has been delayed due to a verification issue. Please confirm your information.”
It feels believable. You just filed. You are expecting a refund. And the message arrives right when you’re checking your bank account.
The link leads to a perfect copy of:
- A government site
- A tax filing service
- Or a bank login page.
Every keystroke you enter is captured. Scammers now have your identity, your financial access and your tax data – all from one click.
3) Benefit and identity verification scams
These scams impersonate the:
- IRS
- Social Security Administration
- State tax offices.
Often, they use what seem to be legitimate titles like “tax resolution officer” and state that you have unresolved tax activity. They claim your benefits, tax records or identity are “on hold” and must be verified immediately.
Typical messages say: “Your benefits account has been temporarily suspended. Verify your identity to restore access.” Or: “We detected unusual activity on your tax profile. Confirm your information now.”
The goal is simple: panic. When people panic, they don’t slow down. They don’t double-check. They click. And once they do, scammers collect everything they need to fully impersonate the victim.
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Cybercriminals use data broker profiles and breach records to personalize tax scams and make them appear legitimate. (Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Why these messages feel so real
You may wonder: How do they know my name? My address? My tax service?
They don’t guess. They buy it. Data brokers collect and sell personal profiles that can include your:
- Full name and address history
- Phone numbers and email addresses
- Family members and marital status
- Estimated income and property records
- Age, retirement status and employer history.
Scammers use this data to personalize their messages. That’s why the email doesn’t feel random. It feels meant for you. And once your profile is sold or leaked, it can be reused again and again.
The real target isn’t your refund. It’s your identity
Once scammers steal your Social Security number, tax ID or bank details, the damage doesn’t stop with one scam.
They can:
- File fake tax returns
- Open credit lines in your name
- Redirect benefits
- Sell your identity on criminal marketplaces.
Tax scams are often the entry point to long-term identity theft.
The ‘pre-tax season cleanup’ most people skip
Most people think clearing browser cookies or changing passwords is enough. It’s not. Your information still lives in data broker databases, where scammers shop for victims.
That’s why I recommend a data removal service that automates data removal and goes directly to the source. Instead of chasing scams one by one, these services help remove the reason you’re targeted in the first place.
While no service can guarantee the complete removal of your data from the internet, a data removal service is really a smart choice. They aren’t cheap, and neither is your privacy. These services do all the work for you by actively monitoring and systematically erasing your personal information from hundreds of websites. It’s what gives me peace of mind and has proven to be the most effective way to erase your personal data from the internet. By limiting the information available, you reduce the risk of scammers cross-referencing data from breaches with information they might find on the dark web, making it harder for them to target you.
Check out my top picks for data removal services and get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web by visiting Cyberguy.com.
Get a free scan to find out if your personal information is already out on the web: Cyberguy.com.
Practical steps to protect yourself this tax season
Here’s what I recommend before filing:
- Never click tax links from emails or texts. Go directly to official websites. Strong antivirus software can help block malicious links before they install malware or steal personal information. Get my picks for the best 2026 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices at Cyberguy.com.
- Use strong, unique passwords for tax services and email. A password manager helps create and store strong, unique passwords and alerts you if your email appears in known data breaches. Next, see if your email has been exposed in past breaches. Our No. 1 password manager pick includes a built-in breach scanner that checks whether your email address or passwords have appeared in known leaks. If you discover a match, immediately change any reused passwords and secure those accounts with new, unique credentials. Check out the best expert-reviewed password managers of 2026 at Cyberguy.com.
- Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) wherever possible.
- Freeze your credit if you’re not applying for loans. To learn more about how to do this, go to Cyberguy.com and search “How to freeze your credit.”
- Remove your data from brokers before scammers find it, as discussed above.
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Fake “refund issue” messages trick taxpayers into entering Social Security numbers and bank details on fraudulent sites. (Photo illustration by Michael Bocchieri/Getty Images)
Kurt’s key takeaways
Tax scams don’t start in April; they start when your data is sold. The more complete your profile becomes, the easier it is for scammers to impersonate government agencies and steal your identity. By removing your personal data now, you’re not just protecting your refund; you’re protecting your future. This tax season, don’t wait for the alert. Remove the risk.
Have you received a suspicious IRS text or email this tax season, and what made you question whether it was real? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.
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Copyright 2026 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.
Technology
Backrooms is a certified blockbuster with a $38 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.
Technology
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.
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
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?”
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.
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.
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.
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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Copyright 2026 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.
Technology
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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