The holiday season is a festive time filled with shopping, year‑end travel, and financial planning — but it’s also one of the most dangerous times of the year for consumers when it comes to tax scams and identity theft protection.

As people juggle online purchases, charitable giving, and preparing for the upcoming filing season, fraudsters step up efforts to trick individuals into disclosing personal information or paying fake tax debts.

According to the IRS and cybersecurity experts, scams related to taxes, identity theft, and fraudulent refund claims spike dramatically during late November through January. The rise in online tax fraud, IRS impersonation phone scams, and fake tax filing services means it’s more important than ever to stay alert.

Here are ten common holiday tax scams to avoid, how to spot them, and best practices for safeguarding your personal data and finances.