Washoe County officials issued warnings about an uptick in phone, email and text tax scams that impersonate the IRS or preparers and demand immediate payment via gift cards, wire transfers or cryptocurrency. The advisory highlighted spoofed numbers, official‑looking sites and urged verification through IRS channels.

With tax filing deadlines approaching, Washoe County law enforcement issued a public advisory about a seasonal surge in tax‑related scams that use phone calls, emails and texts to impersonate the IRS or tax professionals. Scammers typically pressure victims to make immediate payments using gift cards, wires or cryptocurrency, and increasingly employ spoofed telephone numbers and fake websites designed to look official. The county bulletin reiterated common red flags — unsolicited threats of arrest, demands for nontraditional payment methods, and refusal to provide written documentation — and urged residents to verify contacts directly via official IRS channels and established tax preparers. Officials recommended never sharing personal identification or financial information in response to unexpected requests, to confirm any payment demands independently, and to report suspicious contacts to local law enforcement and the IRS. The release also encouraged banks and digital asset platforms to remain vigilant for unusual transactions and to assist victims promptly to maximize chances of recovery.