According to the IRS Criminal Investigation Atlanta Field Office, families should stay alert for scams targeting parents, students and educators as the back-to-school season begins.
The agency said criminals often take advantage of the busy shopping season through fake online stores, impersonation scams, scholarship fraud and schemes targeting children on gaming platforms and social media.
“Back to school season should be a time for excitement and fun memories for parents and students,” said Special Agent in Charge Demetrius Hardeman, IRS-CI Atlanta Field Office. “IRS-CI special agents are committed to protecting families by exposing scams, following the money, and stopping criminals who target parents and children during this season.”
According to the IRS, families can reduce their risk by shopping only with trusted retailers, avoiding payment requests involving gift cards, wire transfers or cryptocurrency, and verifying messages claiming to be from schools, government agencies or scholarship providers before sharing personal or financial information.
The agency also encourages parents to protect children’s personal information by safeguarding Social Security numbers, limiting what is shared online and considering free credit freezes for minors to help prevent identity theft.
The IRS warned that scammers frequently target young people through gaming platforms, social media apps and online communities by posing as peers or offering rewards that appear legitimate. Parents are encouraged to talk with their children about online safety and remind them to report suspicious messages or requests for personal information.
According to the IRS, anyone who encounters suspected scams, fraudulent purchases or suspicious online activity should report it as soon as possible through irs.gov/submitatip. Officials said timely reporting can help investigators stop scams and prevent additional victims.
