Internal Revenue Service Wrapped Up the ‘Dirty Dozen’ List of Tax Scams for 2020; IRS Criminal Investigation and U.S. Attorney Office Urge Taxpayers to Watch Out for These Tax Scams

The Internal Revenue Service wrapped up its annual ‘Dirty Dozen’ list of tax scams with a special
emphasis on aggressive and evolving schemes related to coronavirus tax relief, including Economic
Impact Payments. The Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation division and the U.S.
Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Illinois urge taxpayers to be vigilant to these tax
scams.

This year, the Dirty Dozen focuses on scams that target taxpayers. The criminals behind these bogus
schemes view everyone as potentially easy prey.

“Fraud schemes harm everyone, especially those which defraud the IRS and members of our community,”
said Adam Steiner, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the IRS Criminal Investigation division in the
St. Louis Field Office. “As we stand ready to investigate anyone who would put a taxpayer at risk
for a quick profit, we urge everyone to watch out for these tax scams all the time.”

Tax scams tend to rise during tax season or during times of crisis. “This years’ list of tax scams
should serve as a stark reminder to everyone to be vigilant to these threats during the current
pandemic and its aftermath,” said U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft for the Southern District of
Illinois. “Please safeguard your personal and financial information, and refrain from engaging
potential scammers online or on the phone.”

Taxpayers are encouraged to review the ‘Dirty Dozen’ list in a special section on
IRS.gov and be on the lookout for these scams throughout the year.

For official information year round, taxpayers can visit IRS.gov