A DOGE software engineer is reportedly close to gaining access to sensitive taxpayer data, which is raising alarms. Reports that Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is seeking access to a guarded Internal Revenue Service (IRS) system has raised alarm bells in Washington and across the nation.

The unusual request could put sensitive data about millions of American taxpayers in the hands of Trump political appointees.

The Elon Musk-run effort wants to study a system that includes tax returns, Social Security numbers and other information.

If you receive a text message claiming that you will receive a $1,400 check from the IRS, don’t click any links. The Better Business Bureau warns that it’s a scam. Criminals are impersonating the IRS to trick taxpayers into sharing personal information with them.

In December, the IRS announced it was sending payments to more than one million people. Scammers posing as the IRS send text messages to your phone asking for personal information in exchange for