Better Business Bureau Warns Yuma Residents of Aggressive Tax Season Scams

The Better Business Bureau is urging caution as tax season ramps up, saying scammers will be especially aggressive in targeting local residents. Steve J. Bernas, BBB president and CEO, warned, “We expect tax scammers to be especially aggressive this year. They will come out of the woodwork to cash in on you.” The risk is underscored by an IRS estimate that taxpayers lost $5.5 billion to tax scams and fraud in 2023.

Yuma-area consumers should watch for two primary IRS-impersonation schemes. One variant pressures victims to pay alleged back taxes immediately, often demanding payment by prepaid debit card, wire transfer, gift cards, or payment apps and threatening arrest or fines if victims do not comply. A second variant promises tax refunds but asks for personal information to deliver the refund; that information can later be used for identity theft. The BBB cautions that impostors may provide fake badge numbers or names and may single out college students by claiming an unpaid “federal student tax.”

Tax-identity theft is another major concern. Scammers file returns using stolen Social Security numbers to claim refunds, or use stolen information to obtain employment. Victims often learn of fraud only after receiving a written notice from the IRS indicating multiple returns or unfamiliar wages. Phony tax-preparation services, phishing attacks, and data breaches are common sources of stolen information.

Email phishing continues to be a frequent entry point. Scammers send messages that look like official agency notices, include links to counterfeit tax websites, and urge recipients to “update your IRS e-file immediately.” The BBB preserved a Scam Tracker report in which a consumer wrote: “Received an email telling me that after annual calculations of my fiscal activity I was eligible to receive a tax return of $976.00. At the bottom it recommended using a prepaid card because sending funds does not support this card. Within the email was a link for a Tax Return Form.” The BBB also warns about misleading URL tricks, such as variations on government domains that omit dots or otherwise resemble official sites.

Fraudulent tax preparers and tax-relief impostors can operate as “ghost” preparers or brick-and-mortar shops that promise fast filing or larger refunds and then charge high fees or steal information. Fox9 reported that scammers target different age groups differently: younger adults are often asked for personal and banking information, middle-aged adults face identity-theft and back-tax demands, and older adults are heavily targeted by payment scams. Fox9 also said, “With all the new tax deductions rules enacted by President Donald Trump, scammers are expected to be extra active this year.” Livenowfox reported that data collected in 2025 found nearly one in four people have fallen victim to tax scams.

The BBB offers simple rules to spot impostors: “The real IRS and CRA will never demand immediate payment, require a specific form of payment, or ask for a credit card or debit card number over the phone.” The IRS also initiates collection activity by mailed letter before phone contact. Verify any unexpected contact, refuse demands for gift cards or prepaid cards, and vet tax preparers before sharing Social Security numbers or bank details.

For Yuma residents, the immediate takeaway is practical: treat urgent payment demands and unsolicited refund notices as red flags, protect your Social Security number, and confirm any claim in writing through official channels. As tax filings continue, vigilance and verification will be the best defense for local taxpayers.