When you hire a tax preparer, you're handing over some of the most sensitive information you possess — your Social Security number, income details, bank account numbers, investment records, and the Social Security numbers of your dependents. This is a goldmine for identity thieves, and tax preparation fraud has become one of the most damaging forms of financial crime. According to the IRS, thousands of fraudulent tax preparers operate in the United States, filing false returns, stealing refunds, and selling client data on the dark web. Before you trust anyone with your tax information, you need to verify that they are who they claim to be. A reverse face search engine like facesearching provides a powerful tool for confirming a tax preparer's identity before you share a single document.
The Scope of Tax Preparer Fraud
Tax preparer fraud costs the US Treasury and individual taxpayers billions of dollars annually. Fraudulent preparers use several common schemes. Ghost preparers prepare returns but refuse to sign them, leaving the taxpayer responsible for any errors or fraud. Refund theft preparers inflate deductions, claim fake credits, and divert refunds to their own bank accounts. Identity theft preparers collect client information and file returns without the client's knowledge, stealing the refund. Some fraudulent preparers operate entirely online, creating professional-looking websites with fake credentials and stolen photos, collecting fees for tax preparation services that are never delivered, or worse, using the collected information for identity theft. For more on identity theft, read our guide on detecting identity theft early.
What You'll Need Before You Start
Gather the following information about your tax preparer before beginning the verification process. The more complete your information, the more thorough your verification can be.
- The tax preparer's photo — from their website, LinkedIn profile, or professional directory listing
- The preparer's full name and the name of their firm or business
- The preparer's PTIN (Preparer Tax Identification Number) — any legitimate paid preparer must have one and must include it on your return
- The preparer's claimed credentials — CPA, Enrolled Agent, tax attorney, or Annual Filing Season Program participant
- The firm's physical address and phone number — not just a P.O. box or virtual office
Step 1: Obtain the Tax Preparer's Photo
Start by collecting a clear photo of the tax preparer. Most legitimate preparers have photos on their firm's website, LinkedIn profile, or professional directory listings such as the state CPA society directory. If you're working with a preparer you found online, save their profile photo from the platform where you connected. If the preparer has no photo anywhere, that's a potential concern — ask them to provide one. A legitimate professional should have no issue sharing a photo of themselves. Be wary of preparers who use only logos, stock photos, or AI-generated images as their profile pictures.
Step 2: Upload to the Face Search Engine
Go to facesearching and upload the preparer's photo. The reverse face search engine will analyze the facial geometry — eye spacing, nose bridge shape, jawline contour, and dozens of other biometric markers — and create a mathematical template. This template is compared against faces extracted from publicly accessible web pages across more than 100 platforms. The search typically completes in under 60 seconds. While the search runs, you can begin the credential verification steps described in the next section.
Step 3: Verify Professional Credentials and Review Results
When the face search results appear, examine them alongside the preparer's claimed credentials. Here's what different patterns indicate.
- Consistent professional identity: The same face appears on the firm's website, LinkedIn with a matching title, and perhaps in industry publications or conference photos. This is what a legitimate tax professional's results should look like.
- Stolen photo: The face appears on a completely different person's profile — a model, actor, or random professional with no connection to tax preparation. The preparer is fraudulent.
- Credential mismatch: The face appears on LinkedIn with a different name or profession than claimed, or the photo doesn't match the preparer's claimed credentials on the IRS directory.
- No results: The face returns zero matches. While some professionals have limited online presence, a complete absence of results for a tax preparer who claims to run a business is suspicious.
Step 4: Verify Credentials Through Official Channels
Face search results should be combined with official credential verification. Check the IRS PTIN directory to confirm the preparer has a valid Preparer Tax Identification Number. If the preparer claims to be a CPA, search for them on your state's Board of Accountancy website to verify their license status and check for any disciplinary actions. If they claim to be an Enrolled Agent, verify their status through the IRS Enrolled Agent database. If they claim to be a tax attorney, verify their bar membership through the state bar association. Check the Better Business Bureau for complaints against the preparer or their firm. For broader background screening, read our guide on background checks with face search.
Red Flags That Should Make You Find Another Preparer
Some warning signs are dealbreakers regardless of what the face search shows. If you encounter any of these, find a different tax preparer.
- The preparer refuses to provide their PTIN or sign the return they prepare — this is illegal for paid preparers
- The preparer bases their fee on a percentage of your refund — this creates an incentive to inflate deductions and credits
- The preparer asks you to sign a blank return or refuses to provide a copy of the completed return
- The preparer asks you to lie about income, deductions, or credits to increase your refund
- The preparer's refund guarantee seems too good to be true — promising refunds far larger than what you've received in previous years without explanation
- The preparer asks for your bank account information to 'verify' anything before your return is complete
The IRS holds you — not the preparer — responsible for the accuracy of your tax return. Even if a preparer makes fraudulent claims, you are the one who will face audits, penalties, and potential criminal charges. Choosing a legitimate preparer is not optional — it's essential.
What to Do If You Discover a Fraudulent Tax Preparer
If your face search and credential verification reveal a fraudulent tax preparer, take action. Report the preparer to the IRS using Form 14157, Complaint: Tax Return Preparer. Report the preparer to your state's board of accountancy or department of consumer affairs. If you've already shared your personal information, place a fraud alert on your credit reports and consider an IRS Identity Protection PIN to prevent fraudulent returns from being filed in your name. If you've paid money, contact your bank or payment provider. If the preparer filed a fraudulent return in your name, file an amended return and contact the IRS Identity Theft unit. For more on comprehensive background checks, read our guide on comprehensive background checks with one photo.