Tim Phillips Show, 3/20/26

Tax scams tend to spike this time of year, as people are getting ready to file their taxes and scammers know we’re expecting communication from the Internal Revenue Service about refunds, payments, and account updates. Eric Bronnenkant, head of tax at Edelman Financial Engines, explains that fraudsters take advantage of that and hope “to catch people off guard and stressed.”

With the April 15th tax deadline less than a month away, the IRS is warning taxpayers about the top ways swindlers are trying to rip us off with their “Dirty Dozen” list of tax scams for 2026. These are the top ones to watch for this year:

IRS impersonation by email and text - These emails, texts and messages look like they’re from the IRS, often with QR codes or links to fake IRS websites that direct people to “verify” accounts with personal information.

AI-enabled IRS impersonation by phone - Robocalls and spoofed caller IDs that look legit are common, but the IRS points out they generally contact people by mail first and don’t leave urgent or threatening messages or demand immediate payments.

Fake charities - Fraudsters often exploit tragedies and disasters by creating fake charities to bring in money and personal info, but you can’t claim a deduction on your tax return for a donation to a fake one.

Misleading social media advice - Don’t believe all the “tax hacks” you see in your feed. The IRS reported more than 600 social media impersonators in 2025 alone.

Identity theft with IRS online account - Scammers may try to get access to someone’s IRS account online using stolen info and data.

Abuse of undistributed long-term capital gains claims - The IRS has seen an increase in abuse of Form 2439, which “allows shareholders of certain investment funds of real estate trusts to claim a refundable credit for taxes paid on undistributed capital gains.”

Misleading “self-employment tax credit” promotions - Fraudsters are using bogus claims about a broad “self-employment tax credit” to encourage incorrect tax filings, leading to improper refunds.

“Ghost preparers” - They prepare tax returns, but refuse to sign them or provide a Preparer Tax Identification Number, and that’s a huge red flag since preparers are legally responsible for what’s filed.

Rounding out the Dirty Dozen are: Non-cash charitable contribution scams, Overstated withholding schemes, Spear-phishing and malware campaigns, and “Offer in Compromise mills.”
Source: NY Post

Friday Flashback - ESCAPADE  -   JANET JACKSON,    1990

BLACK VELVET, ROAM, LOVE WILL LEAD YOU BACK

Nelson Mandela is released from prison in South Africa and becomes the leader of the ANC.

Tim Berners-Lee publishes a formal proposal for the World Wide Web.

East and West Germany are reunited after the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Margaret Thatcher resigned from her position as Prime Minister in the United Kingdom.

One of the most complete T. Rex fossils is found in South Dakota, and it is named "Sue" after the paleontologist who discovered it.

Atari Lynx Portable Color Entertainment System - Price: $169.99
New Kids On The Block Play Figures - Price: $19.99 each
The Sci/Fi Channel on Cable TV starts transmitting

Twin Peaks premieres on ABC

The Milli Vanilli duo's producer reveals that the Grammy-winning pop duo were lip-syncing in the songs on the album which gained them the award

Popular Films
Home Alone
Ghost
Dances with Wolves
Pretty Woman
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
The Hunt for Red October
Total Recall
Die Hard 2
Dick Tracy
Edward Scissorhands

Looking for a little travel inspiration before planning your next getaway? “Time” magazine has some suggestions. Their list of the World’s Greatest Places has just come out for 2026.

Every year, the publication’s international network of contributors and correspondents nominates their picks for hotels, cruises, restaurants, attractions, museums, parks, and more.
Those are narrowed down to 100 extraordinary destinations, 50 places to stay, and 50 places to visit this year.
The list includes the Grand Egyptian Museum in Cairo, which was just completed in October, and the Murujuga Cultural Landscape in Australia, which earned UNESCO World Heritage status last year and features rock carvings that are 50-thousand years old.
Kaway’an EcoPark in the Philippines, a family-friendly farm and learning center built almost entirely from bamboo, also makes the list.

The World’s Greatest Places of 2026 also features many here in the U.S., including:

Moonpass Lookouts - Wallace, Idaho (off-the-grid fire lookout tower vacation rentals)
Netflix House - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Highway 1 - California
The Reefline - Miami Beach, Florida (an underwater sculpture park and snorkel trail)
Hotel del Coronado - Coronado, California
Indianapolis Motor Speedway - Indianapolis, Indiana
Counterculture Museum - San Francisco, California
Universal Epic Universe - Orlando, Florida
Studio Museum in Harlem - New York
Deer Valley Resort - Park City, Utah

Source: Time

Tim's News You Can't Use 

Spring means getting outside more, and there are a lot of benefits to being in nature, from boosting your mood ... to helping you eat better. A new study from Drexel University and Wake Forest University found that people who regularly spent time in nature ended up making better food choices.
Basically, spending time outdoors was associated with less “stress eating,” which often included eating junk food. As one study participant said, “Food … can be used for stress … and … boredom. So, when I’m out in nature, when I’m occupying myself, when I’m doing something meaningful … I think my mind is less concerned about … easy ways to satisfy myself.” Researchers found that being outside has a way of resetting your mind, easing the tension that can send you reaching for comfort food. When stress lifts, choosing something healthier to eat feels a lot easier.
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Runners have found a fun way to turn their run into something good for the environment — “plogging.” “Plogging,” a trend that started in Sweden, combines jogging with picking up litter. The word comes from the Swedish phrase “plocka upp” (which means to pick up) plus jogging — hence, plogging.  While running or walking, ploggers carry a bag and stop to grab any trash they see, turning a workout into a way to keep parks, trails, and sidewalks looking good.
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Glamour magazine says a Labubu movie is happening. The project will be a live-action and CGI blend. The earliest release date could be in the Fall of 2027
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Newsweek magazine says Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Casino is going viral for selling $50 pizzas. Their price has sparked an online frenzy. They have four pies priced from $47.95 to $53.95. Some social media users are calling the prices an absolute scam
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A Chinese company has successfully test-flown what may be the world's largest electric flying taxi, a five-ton aircraft built to carry up to ten passengers. The V5000, made by Fengfei Aviation under its AutoFlight brand, lifted off, switched to fixed-wing flight, then landed again at a test site in Jiangsu Province on February 5th. Two versions exist: the passenger model, called the Sky Dragon, holds up to ten people, while the cargo version, called the Matrix, can haul over a ton of freight
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ABC says a Southern California pet tortoise recently survived a shed fire that started when a heat lamp tipped over.  The tortoise managed to escape the flames by calming walking out of the shed. 
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Train service on New York's Staten Island was delayed earlier this week -- not because of a broken rail or a trash fire on the tracks, but because of a pair of wild turkeys.  Authorities say a flock of turkeys wandered onto the tracks near the Old Town station, forcing trains to slow while crews tried to shoo them away. After a few loud horn blasts, the birds finally scattered. But the turkeys weren’t done. Less than two hours later, another group strutted onto the tracks near St. George, causing a second disruption -- and once again, the train horn did the trick. This isn’t Staten Island’s first run‑in with bold birds. A turkey even blocked an MTA bus earlier this year. Wildlife officials say the borough’s turkey population likely traces back to a handful of pets released in the late ’90s, and they’ve been thriving ever since. (NY Daily News)
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BroBible says a farmer in India recently dressed as a bear to scare away some monkeys. Packs of monkeys, sometimes more than 100, have been raiding crops and homes. Past tricks like scarecrows, drums, and brooms have failed. Forest officials are trying to catch and relocate the primates. 
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NJ.com says a Lakewood, New Jersey elderly man recently walked into a liquor store and stole a 25 oz. can of Budweiser while naked. The Lakewood police found the unclothed 69-year-old standing in front of Pinecone Liquor. When officers approached, he began yelling things that were "alarming" and was taken into custody. Police charged the man with shoplifting and lewdness.
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A New York man tried to rob six Chase bank branches in five days…and only walked away with a grand total of $605. Gustavo DeJesus Torres used the same method each time: handing tellers a note threatening that people would get hurt if they did not hand over money. He netted $320 from a branch in Queens, $265 from one in Brooklyn, and just $20 from a Harlem location. Even with the low amounts, that’s as good as it got for Torres; three of his six attempts yielded nothing at all. Police have released security camera photos of Torres and are still searching for him.