Tax season is ripe for frauds and scammers, leading experts to offer tips on how to avoid fraud in Santa Clarita.

The Internal Revenue Service announced common scams this time of year and how to protect residents from falling victim.

While identity theft is a year-round problem, scammers may try to file false tax refund forms in residents’ names, according to the Los Angeles County Consumer and Business Affairs.

In the digital age, personal information is always out there. A good way to protect one’s personal information is taking their name off marketing lists, according to officials.

Callers posing as IRS officials often use these same tactics to get residents’ information.

Internal Revenue Service officials say the agency does not make calls requiring immediate payment, demand residents pay taxes without an opportunity of appeal, require specific payment methods, require card numbers over the phone or threaten arrest.

“The IRS will never initiate contact with you by email about a bill or tax refund. Don’t click on emails claiming to be from the IRS,” said officials in a statement.

Residents are also advised against hiring “unscrupulous return preparers” to avoid dishonest tax businesses who overcharge for services and push refund fraud.

Practices boasting immediate tax returns, asking customers to sign blank returns or making guarantees without seeing tax records are not looking to practice honest work, according to officials.

For more information on how to avoid being a victim of fraud, visit the IRS website here.

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