Scammers exploit generational gaps: younger victims are often baited via social media links, whereas older adults face voice phishing (vishing) calls using deepfake audio to simulate family emergencies. For example, Form W-2 fraud surged in 2025, with scammers instructing taxpayers to fabricate income and withholding data using forms like 1099-NEC or 1099-R to claim illegitimate refunds. Meanwhile, the IRS’s annual Dirty Dozen list highlights sophisticated schemes such as overstated withholding credits and spear phishing attacks targeting tax professionals, underscoring the evolving tactics used to exploit tax systems. Tax season has become a high-stakes battleground for cybercriminals, who leverage advanced technologies like deepfake audio and AI-generated phishing campaigns to steal over $10,000 from unsuspecting victims. These communications direct victims to counterfeit websites—many replicating IRS.gov or tax software portals to harvest Social Security numbers, bank details, or cryptocurrency wallet credentials. A sophisticated cyber espionage campaign dubbed "Operation Sea Elephant" has been discovered targeting scientific research organizations, with a particular focus on ocean-related studies. Cyber Security News is a Dedicated News Platform For Cyber News, Cyber Attack News, Hacking News & Vulnerability Analysis. According to a 2025 McAfee survey, 10% of tax scam losses exceeded $10,000, with Gen Z adults (18–24) reporting the highest exposure to fraudulent attempts. Kaaviya is a Security Editor and fellow reporter with Cyber Security News. Researchers note that 87% of Americans fear AI’s role in making scams harder to detect, mainly through real-time deepfake audio impersonating IRS agents. Form 7202 Exploitation: Scammers misuse self-employed COVID-19 tax credits by submitting falsified wage data, triggering IRS refund holds.
This Cyber News was published on cybersecuritynews.com. Publication date: Fri, 07 Mar 2025 13:30:07 +0000