Technology

The taxing truth: A state-by-state analysis of tax-time trickery

Published

2 years ago

April 11, 2024

The taxing truth: A state-by-state analysis of tax-time trickery

We are less than a week away from the tax deadline, and McAfee is out with new data on tax season that can help ensure you stay safe this tax season.

With tax return scams on the rise, rushing to get your taxes done before the deadline can be one of the ways you are more vulnerable to becoming a victim of one of these scams.

So, how can you strike the balance of utilizing tax filing software to support you in getting those taxes on time while ensuring you’re protecting yourself from the various tax scams that are out there?

Steve Grobman, senior vice president and chief technology officer at McAfee, a cybersecurity company, advises that filing your taxes on time is a key step in avoiding tax scams.

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Woman stressed out while doing her taxes (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

What are the most common tax scams?

Tax scams have become more sophisticated over the last few years, but they are in no way new. However, with AI becoming more commonplace, scammers can utilize this technology to expedite their malicious scams. These scams can come in many different forms, but some of the most common ones are:

Phone scams: Scammers impersonate IRS officials to solicit back payments or personal information over the phone, using threats of arrest or fines to pressure immediate compliance. They may use fake badge numbers, caller IDs or robocalls enhanced with AI voice-overs.

Phishing email scams: Scammers commit fraud by sending emails or messages pretending to be from tax authorities or reputable tax software companies. They entice recipients to click on links that lead to fake websites designed to steal personal and financial information or directly request sensitive data under the guise of tax filing or refunds.

Tax-related identity theft: This occurs when identity thieves use stolen personal information to file fraudulent tax returns. Signs of such theft include receiving a letter from the IRS about a tax return already filed in your name, an electronic filing rejection because a return has already been filed using your Social Security Number, or a notification about the creation of a new online IRS account you did not initiate.

The word SCAM over data (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

MORE: DON’T FALL FOR THESE SNEAKY TAX SCAMS THAT ARE OUT TO STEAL YOUR IDENTITY AND MONEY

What you need to know about tax filing software

Today’s tax landscape is dominated by online engagement, with nearly nine out of 10 (89%) individuals turning to online platforms for at least one part of the tax filing process. More than half of consumers (54%) struggle to differentiate between scams and legitimate messages. In February alone, cybersecurity firm McAfee blocked more than one million attempts to engage with malicious, tax-related URLS.

Steve says, “With less than a week left until Tax Day, early filers are awaiting refunds and tax procrastinators are likely feeling the pressure and stress of the deadline. Scammers exploit these heightened emotions by offering easy filing, faster refunds or urgent information requests, so it’s not surprising that Americans report an average of $8,199 per person lost to tax-related email and text message scams.”

“We encourage people to maintain healthy skepticism, pause before sharing sensitive information online, and to use the right tools to protect their privacy, identity and personal information during tax season and beyond.”

Fraud written on a tablet (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

How scam attempts and detection look in different states

According to Steve, “Our recent tax scam survey uncovered notable disparities in scam susceptibility. Residents of some states – particularly Texas, New York, California, Alaska and Arkansas – have a much higher rate of receiving fraudulent tax refund messages than others.”

“These messages often contain malicious links or malware, increasing vulnerability to scams, so we encourage people to be extra alert and use AI-powered online identity and information protection measures to safeguard themselves against potential scams.”

Here’s some more information by state:

Texas: Despite being highly confident in spotting tax-related scams, Texas has a significant percentage (66%) of people who have lost money to online tax scams, indicating a gap between confidence and reality.

New York: While New Yorkers are confident in identifying tax-related scams, 70% have received messages purporting to be from tax authorities, and 80% have received requests for personal information, suggesting a significant issue with scam attempts.

MUST-KNOW TAX SEASON TIPS FOR FAMILIES WITH COLLEGE STUDENTS

West Virginia: Although West Virginia has a high confidence level in spotting fake tax preparation services, 88% of its residents are likely to click on links from supposed tax software companies, indicating vulnerability to scams.

Kansas: Despite being less likely to click on links from purported tax preparation software companies, Kansas has a relatively high percentage (88%) of people who wouldn’t recognize a scam message from the IRS or state tax authority, suggesting a need for awareness and education on tax scams.

Tennessee: 100% of Tennessean respondents who clicked on links from supposed tax software companies lost money, and all respondents who received messages about tax refunds clicked on those links, highlighting a vulnerability to scam messages in the state.

Woman preparing taxes (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

MORE: HOW SCAMMERS ARE USING AI TOOLS TO FILE PERFECT-LOOKING TAX RETURNS IN YOUR NAME

How to protect yourself from tax-related identity theft

There are several ways you can protect yourself from tax-related identity theft:

Smart Selection: Utilize tax software to get your taxes done faster and on time, but be sure to research and check the reviews.

IRS Impersonation Alert: The IRS will NEVER call you and ask you to make any sort of payment over the phone.

Secure Your Identity: Request an Identity Protection PIN from the IRS. This will help to ensure your account is protected going forward and make it less likely that someone can file a fake tax return in your name.

Early Bird Advantage: In the future, try to file your taxes as early as you can. By doing this, you’re essentially beating the scammer to it. Once you file the return, they will be unable to commit fraud by filing a return in your name.

Beware of Phishing: Don’t click on suspicious links, even if you recognize the name of the tax software company. The best way to protect yourself from clicking malicious links that install malware that may get access to your private information is to have antivirus protection installed on all your devices.

This can also alert you of any phishing emails or ransomware scams. Get my picks for the best 2024 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices.

Steve adds, “The rise of AI-generated tax scams has made it incredibly challenging for Americans to tell the difference between real and fake communications. Cybercrooks can now easily create malicious robocalls that sound like they could come from a neighbor and send error-free text and email messages.”

“With 1 in 4 Americans losing money to online tax scams, it’s crucial for consumers to stay informed about the latest scams, exercise skepticism when something seems too good to be true, and utilize AI-powered tools to protect their privacy, identity and personal information.”

MORE: TOP WAYS TO SAFEGUARD YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER

What to do if you’re a victim of a tax scam?

The hope is that by being aware of the different tax scams that are out there – especially when the deadline for filing your taxes is right around the corner – you’ll be less likely to become a victim of one. That being said, we know that these scammers are pretty clever. So, if you do find that you’ve been a victim of a scam, follow these steps:

1. Complete IRS Form 14039, the Identity Theft Affidavit. This is the form that all victims of fraud must fill out for the IRS. It will let them know that the person claiming to be you is a fraud. You can find the form on the IRS website.

2. Request a copy of the fraudulent tax return from the IRS: You can do this by going to this page on the IRS website on dealing with fraudulent returns and following the instructions to order a copy.

3. Alert national credit bureaus: Let the national bureaus, such as Experian, Equifax and TransUnion, know that there has been fraud and freeze your account so that the scammers cannot access it.

4. Report the crime to the Federal Trade Commission: The FTC is there to help track down scammers, and your report can also help them record how many scams are happening in a single year to improve better how to warn others. You should also report the crime to identitytheft.gov/.

5. Check your online bank accounts: Make sure there aren’t any suspicious transactions on any of your accounts.

6. Use an identity theft protection service: As tax season approaches, the risk of tax fraud significantly increases. It’s crucial to be vigilant and proactive in protecting your personal information. One effective measure is to enlist the help of an identity theft protection service.

Identity theft companies can monitor personal information like your Social Security Number, phone number and email address and alert you if it is being sold on the dark web or being used to open an account. They can also assist you in freezing your bank and credit card accounts to prevent further unauthorized use by criminals.

One of the best parts of using an identity theft protection service is that it might include identity theft insurance of up to $1 million to cover losses and legal fees and a white-glove fraud resolution team where a U.S.-based case manager helps you recover any losses. See my tips and best picks on how to protect yourself from identity theft.

A Post-it on tax documents (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

MORE: DON’T CLICK THAT LINK! HOW TO SPOT AND PREVENT PHISHING ATTACKS IN YOUR INBOX

Kurt’s key takeaways

Taxes are a necessary evil that we have to do every year. Because it can be complicated, many people resort to software to help get the job done. Whatever route you take, be on the lookout for suspicious links from these software companies and any strange messages or phone calls claiming to be from the IRS – and claim your IRS Identity Protection PIN ASAP.

Considering the advancements in cybersecurity, what steps should companies take to protect their customers’ sensitive financial data? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.

For more of my tech tips & security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter.

Ask Kurt a question or let us know what stories you’d like us to cover.

Answers to the most asked CyberGuy questions:

Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on “FOX & Friends.” Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.

Technology

Free up iPhone storage by deleting large attachments

Published

6 minutes ago

December 23, 2025

Press Room

Free up iPhone storage by deleting large attachments

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If your iPhone keeps warning you about low storage, your Messages app may be part of the problem. Photos, videos and documents saved inside your text threads can stack up fast. The good news is that you can clear those big files without erasing entire conversations.

Below, you will find simple steps that work on the latest iOS 26.1. These steps help you clean up storage while keeping your messages right where you want them.

If you haven’t updated to iOS 26.1, go to Settings > General > Software Update to install the latest version.

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‘CLOUD STORAGE FULL’ SCAM STEALS YOUR PHOTOS AND MONEY

An iPhone displays a low-storage alert as large photos, videos and documents saved in Messages fill device space, prompting users to remove files without deleting entire conversations. (Cyberguy.com)

Why clearing attachments helps your iPhone run better

Removing large attachments gives you quick breathing room on your iPhone. It can free up gigabytes in seconds, especially if you text lots of photos or videos. Clearing old files also keeps your message threads tidy and helps your device run more smoothly by reducing the amount of storage your system needs to manage. The best part is that you can clean up everything without losing a single conversation.

How to delete attachments but keep your conversations on iPhone

These quick steps help you clear large files from Messages while keeping every conversation intact.

Launch the Messages app on your iPhone
Open the conversation thread that holds the attachments you want to delete.
Tap on the name of the contact(s) in the text thread.

To the right of Info, click on Photos or Documents; you may need to swipe over other tabs to see these. Photos will also contain videos and GIFs, while documents will contain Word documents, PDFs and other types of files.

Hold your finger and long-press on a photo, video or document until a menu appears.
Tap Delete to remove that single file.

Then confirm Delete when asked.

How to delete multiple files on your iPhone at once

To clear out several attachments at once, follow these quick steps on your iPhone.

Deleting attachments in Messages quickly frees space without losing your conversations. (Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

Go back to the Photos or Documents tab.
Tap Edit.
Click Select documents or Select Photos
Tap on the photos or documents that you want to remove. You will see a blue checkmark appear in the bottom-right corner.
Tap the trash icon in the bottom right corner.

Confirm you want to delete the selected attachments by clicking Delete Photos.

These steps work almost the same way on an iPad. After you finish, you will often see an instant boost in available storage.

How to review large attachments in settings and delete them

If you want to clear the biggest files on your device, you can check them from your iPhone’s storage screen and delete them:

Open Settings
Tap General
Choose iPhone Storage
Tap Messages
Click Review Large Attachments to see photos, videos and attachments taking up storage in Messages.
Click Edit.
Select items to delete by clicking the circle next to the attachment you want to delete. A blue checkmark will appear.

Then, tap the trash can icon in the upper right to delete it.

APPLE RELEASES IOS 26.1 WITH MAJOR SECURITY IMPROVEMENTS AND NEW FEATURES FOR IPHONE USERS

This method gives you a quick overview of what takes up the most space and lets you delete it quickly.

IPhone users can clear large photos, videos and files from Messages using built-in storage tools, helping free space, keep conversations intact and improve device performance. (Cyberguy.com)

Take my quiz: How safe is your online security?

Think your devices and data are truly protected? Take this quick quiz to see where your digital habits stand. From passwords to Wi-Fi settings, you’ll get a personalized breakdown of what you’re doing right and what needs improvement. Take my Quiz here: Cyberguy.com.

Kurt’s key takeaways

Freeing up storage doesn’t have to be confusing. A few quick taps can remove bulky files and keep your conversations intact. With these simple steps, your iPhone stays organized, runs smoothly and is ready for more photos, videos and apps.

What is the one type of attachment that takes up the most space on your iPhone? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com

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Technology

The FCC’s foreign drone ban is here

Published

12 hours ago

December 22, 2025

Press Room

The Federal Communications Commission has banned new drones made in foreign countries from being imported into the US unless the Department of Defense or the Department of Homeland Security recommends them. Monday’s action added drones to the FCC’s Covered List, qualifying foreign-made drones and drone parts, like those from DJI, as communications equipment representing “unacceptable risks to the national security of the United States and to the safety and security of U.S. persons.”

DJI is “disappointed” by today’s action, Adam Welsh, DJI’s head of global policy, says in a statement. “While DJI was not singled out, no information has been released regarding what information was used by the Executive Branch in reaching its determination.” Welsh adds that DJI “remains committed to the U.S. market” and noted that existing products can continue operation as usual. Other items on the FCC’s list include Kaspersky anti-virus software (added in 2024) and telecommunications equipment from Huawei and ZTE (added in 2021).

The FCC says it received a National Security Determination on December 21st from an interagency body saying that “uncrewed aircraft systems” (UAS) and critical UAS components produced in a foreign country could “enable persistent surveillance, data exfiltration, and destructive operations over U.S. territory” and that “U.S. cybersecurity and critical‑infrastructure guidance has repeatedly highlighted how foreign‑manufactured UAS can be used to harvest sensitive data, used to enable remote unauthorized access, or disabled at will via software updates.”

If you already own a drone made outside the US, you will still be able to use it, according to the FCC’s fact sheet. Drones or drone components can be removed from the Covered List if the DoD or DHS “makes a specific determination to the FCC” that it does not pose unacceptable risks.

“Unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), also known as drones, offer the potential to enhance public safety as well as cement America’s leadership in global innovation,” FCC chairman Brendan Carr says.

Technology

Netflix suspension scam targets your inbox

Published

12 hours ago

December 22, 2025

Press Room

Netflix suspension scam targets your inbox

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Holiday phishing attempts surge every year, and scammers know people juggle subscriptions, gifts and billing changes. That makes a fake alert feel real for a split second. Stacey P. emailed to tell us that he received one of these messages and wrote:

“I thought I should forward this message to you that I received today that was ostensibly from Netflix. Without clicking on any links, I called Netflix and they advised me that my account is in good standing. They asked me to forward this to them.”
— Stacey P.

Stacey’s experience shows how convincing these emails can appear and why taking a moment to verify can make all the difference. These Netflix suspension emails look polished at first glance. When you look closer, however, the warning signs jump out.

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HOLIDAY DELIVERIES AND FAKE TRACKING TEXTS: HOW SCAMMERS TRACK YOU

Holiday phishing scams spike as fake Netflix suspension emails exploit seasonal billing confusion and urgency. (Zeng Hui/Xinhua via Getty Images)

Why scammers use this approach

People expect billing reminders during the holidays. When you see a familiar logo during a busy day, your guard drops for a moment. Scammers build templates that look clean, simple and trustworthy because it increases their odds of success.

Red flags inside the fake Netflix message

The Netflix scam email attempts to mimic Netflix’s branding, but several details reveal it is fraudulent.

Spelling and grammar issues

The email includes mistakes real companies would never send. It uses valldate instead of validate, Communicication instead of communication and even writes “sent to yo” with the u missing from you. Errors like these are major signs of a scam.

Strange tone and pressure tactics

The message claims your billing info failed and says your membership will be suspended within 48 hours unless you act. Criminals rely on urgency because it stops people from thinking clearly.

Fake login buttons

The bold red Restart Membership button aims to lure you into entering your credentials on a phishing page. Once you type your password and payment details, you hand them over to attackers.

Generic greeting

The message uses Dear User instead of your name. Netflix includes your account name in official communications.

Suspicious footer and address

The footer contains off wording about inbox preferences and a Scottsdale address not tied to Netflix. Real subscription providers use consistent company details.

FACEBOOK SETTLEMENT SCAM EMAILS TO AVOID NOW

A reader narrowly avoided a Netflix phishing scam by calling the company instead of clicking the email link. (Luis Boza/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

How to stay safe from the Netflix suspension scam

A few habits can protect your account even when a phishing attempt looks convincing.

1) Check your account on Netflix.com

Open Netflix on your browser or app instead of clicking any link in the email. Your account status there is always accurate.

2) Avoid entering payment details through email links

Phishing pages often copy real sites. Instead of clicking the link in the message, open your browser and type the official website address yourself. This keeps you in control and away from fake pages.

3) Use a data removal service

Scammers often pull email addresses and personal details from data broker sites. These lists fuel subscription scams that look like the Netflix alert Stacey received. A trusted data removal service can pull your information off those sites and cut down on future phishing attempts.

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.

4) Hover over links to reveal the true URL

On a computer, hovering over a link shows where it really goes. If the address looks strange, delete the message.

5) Report the scam

Forward suspicious Netflix emails to phishing@netflix.com. This helps the fraud team block similar messages.

6) Strengthen your device security

Use two-factor authentication (2FA) for your email and install strong antivirus software to catch malicious pages. The best way to safeguard yourself from malicious links that install malware, potentially accessing your private information, is to have strong antivirus software installed on all your devices. This protection can also alert you to phishing emails and ransomware scams, keeping your personal information and digital assets safe.

THE FAKE REFUND SCAM: WHY SCAMMERS LOVE HOLIDAY SHOPPERS

Scammers use polished branding and urgent language to trick users into giving up login and payment details. (Gabby Jones/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Get my picks for the best 2025 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices at Cyberguy.com.

7) Consider an identity theft protection service

If you ever enter your billing info into a fake login page, attackers can use that data for much more than streaming fraud. Identity Theft companies can monitor personal information like your Social Security number (SSN), phone number and email address, and alert you if it is being sold on the dark web or being used to open an account. They can also assist you in freezing your bank and credit card accounts to prevent further unauthorized use by criminals.

See my tips and best picks on how to protect yourself from identity theft at Cyberguy.com.

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Kurt’s key takeaways

Stacey’s caution prevented him from becoming another victim of this email scam. These messages keep getting more believable, so spotting the red flags and using the steps above can save you time, money and frustration.

Have you seen a fake subscription alert recently that nearly fooled you? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com.

Sign up for my FREE CyberGuy Report
Get my best tech tips, urgent security alerts and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide – free when you join my CYBERGUY.COM newsletter.