A survey conducted for Lawyers.com by market researchers Harris Interactive found that although 71 percent of Americans consider tax time stressful, most don't investigate their tax preparer.

While 42 percent find a tax preparer through referral, just 16 percent check their preparer's standing with the Attorney General's office or Better Business Bureau (BBB), and only 17 percent say they would check suspicious-sounding tax promises with the IRS. Just 28 percent have asked for or will ask for and check their tax preparer's references. 

"This survey shows that many Americans need to do a better job checking their tax preparers' track records and professional backgrounds, to avoid becoming victims," said attorney Alan Kopit, Lawyers.com's legal editor. "Checking with the BBB or your state's Attorney General's office is a quick and no-cost way to find out if a tax preparer has had complaints registered against him or her."