{"id":212610,"date":"2025-05-13T16:38:08","date_gmt":"2025-05-13T23:38:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mcafee.com\/blogs\/?p=212610"},"modified":"2025-05-13T19:04:40","modified_gmt":"2025-05-14T02:04:40","slug":"new-dad-falls-for-irs-phone-scam-bradleys-scam-story","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mcafee.com\/blogs\/internet-security\/new-dad-falls-for-irs-phone-scam-bradleys-scam-story\/","title":{"rendered":"Bradley\u2019s Scam Story: New Dad vs Fake IRS Call\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Bradley K. was a brand-new dad, sleep-deprived and juggling life with a newborn, when he received a phone call that would change everything. The caller claimed to be from the IRS and said Bradley owed back taxes. If he didn\u2019t pay immediately, they warned, he could be arrested.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Unfortunately,<strong> it was a <\/strong><\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">tax scam<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u2014and one that cost him $800 and left him shaken for months.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Bradley&#039;s Scam Story: New Dad vs a Fake IRS Call\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/u9khq2L7M1U?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h2 aria-level=\"3\"><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">The IRS Phone Scam That Took Advantage of a Vulnerable Moment<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;134245418&quot;:true,&quot;134245529&quot;:true,&quot;335559738&quot;:281,&quot;335559739&quot;:281}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Like many Americans, Bradley had just filed his taxes. When the call came through, it seemed believable. The caller knew personal information, spoke with a local accent, and used aggressive tactics to demand fast action.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cI had just filed my taxes, so when they told me there was a problem, it didn\u2019t seem completely far-fetched.\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Under pressure and running on little sleep, Bradley didn\u2019t stop to verify. He didn\u2019t call his dad\u2014who also happened to be his accountant. Instead, he sent $800 and unknowingly gave scammers access to his bank account.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cI was running on barely any sleep with a newborn, and I wasn\u2019t thinking as clearly as I normally would have.\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">It wasn\u2019t until days later that a friend told him the truth: the <\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">IRS never calls demanding immediate payment<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">. By then, it was too late. The money was gone, and Bradley was left feeling embarrassed and anxious.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cEven now, almost a year later, I\u2019m constantly on edge, making sure nothing else has been stolen.\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">How McAfee Scam Detector Could Have Helped Prevent the Tax Scam<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;134245418&quot;:true,&quot;134245529&quot;:true,&quot;335559738&quot;:281,&quot;335559739&quot;:281}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Bradley\u2019s experience is exactly why we created <\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">McAfee\u2019s Scam Detector<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u2014a smart, AI-powered tool that identifies scams across email, text, and even video.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">If Bradley had received a scam follow-up message or email while using McAfee\u2019s Scam Detector, the tool could have flagged it automatically\u2014before he ever opened it. He could have also used the <\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Quick Check<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> feature to paste in the message or phone transcript and receive an instant scam analysis.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Key features that could have protected Bradley:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Text &amp; Email Scam Detection<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">: Flags suspicious IRS-related messages and explains the red flags.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Quick Check Manual Scan<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">: Lets users upload screenshots or text to instantly check for scam tactics.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"3\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">AI-Powered Warnings<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">: Detects urgent language, impersonation cues, and phishing patterns in real time.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"4\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Customizable Sensitivity Settings<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">: Lets users adjust scam detection levels based on their comfort zone.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Best of all? McAfee\u2019s Scam Detector is included at no extra cost with McAfee core plans.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-212961\" src=\"https:\/\/www.mcafee.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/8cdeb5ac-d081-4c75-9d81-a8d4cc8ef2e6.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"478\" height=\"1000\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.mcafee.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/8cdeb5ac-d081-4c75-9d81-a8d4cc8ef2e6.png 478w, https:\/\/www.mcafee.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/8cdeb5ac-d081-4c75-9d81-a8d4cc8ef2e6-143x300.png 143w, https:\/\/www.mcafee.com\/blogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/8cdeb5ac-d081-4c75-9d81-a8d4cc8ef2e6-62x129.png 62w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 478px) 100vw, 478px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2 aria-level=\"3\"><\/h2>\n<h2 aria-level=\"3\"><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">How to Avoid Tax Scams: 4 Smart Tips to Stay Safe<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;134245418&quot;:true,&quot;134245529&quot;:true,&quot;335559738&quot;:281,&quot;335559739&quot;:281}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Here&#8217;s how to avoid tax scams like the one that targeted Bradley:<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><i><span data-contrast=\"none\">1) Know the IRS will never call you to demand payment.<\/span><\/i><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;134245418&quot;:true,&quot;134245529&quot;:true,&quot;335559738&quot;:319,&quot;335559739&quot;:319}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">If someone says you owe money and threatens arrest, it\u2019s a scam. The IRS contacts people by mail first.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><i><span data-contrast=\"none\">2) Use McAfee\u2019s Scam Detector for real-time protection.<\/span><\/i><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;134245418&quot;:true,&quot;134245529&quot;:true,&quot;335559738&quot;:319,&quot;335559739&quot;:319}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Scan any suspicious email, text, or message using Quick Check before clicking or responding.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><i><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a03) Always take a pause before acting.<\/span><\/i><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;134245418&quot;:true,&quot;134245529&quot;:true,&quot;335559738&quot;:319,&quot;335559739&quot;:319}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Scammers rely on urgency. Take a breath, verify the claim independently, and talk to someone you trust.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><i><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a04) Keep scam protection up to date.<\/span><\/i><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;134245418&quot;:true,&quot;134245529&quot;:true,&quot;335559738&quot;:319,&quot;335559739&quot;:319}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Enable scam alerts across your devices to stay one step ahead. McAfee Scam Detector works across smartphones, laptops, and tablets.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2 aria-level=\"3\"><b><span data-contrast=\"none\">Share Your Scam Story to Help End Scam Stigma<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;134245418&quot;:true,&quot;134245529&quot;:true,&quot;335559738&quot;:281,&quot;335559739&quot;:281}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Bradley\u2019s story is just one of thousands. But too often, people stay silent out of shame or embarrassment. That silence helps scammers win.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">At McAfee, we believe in highlighting real scam stories\u2014not to scare people but to empower them. These aren\u2019t victims. They\u2019re <\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">survivors<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Have a story of your own? You\u2019re not alone\u2014and your experience could help someone else.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mcafee.com\/en-us\/scam-stories\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Visit <\/span>our Scam Stories Hub<\/a> <span data-contrast=\"auto\">to share your story and help stop scams in their tracks.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;134233117&quot;:false,&quot;134233118&quot;:false,&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Bradley K. was a brand-new dad, sleep-deprived and juggling life with a newborn, when he received a phone call that&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1440,"featured_media":212930,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[10661,13],"tags":[],"coauthors":[16632],"class_list":["post-212610","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-internet-security","category-privacy-identity-protection"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v25.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Bradley\u2019s Scam Story: New Dad vs Fake IRS Call\u00a0 | McAfee Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Bradley K. was a brand-new dad, sleep-deprived and juggling life with a newborn, when he received a phone call that would change everything. 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