Spotting IRS scams

What to know

1. Expect mail first. The IRS starts most contact through regular U.S. mail. It may call or visit in special cases, like an overdue tax bill or an audit, but you'll generally have received several letters ("notices") first. Source: IRS¹
2. Hang up on anyone demanding immediate payment by a prepaid debit card, gift card or wire transfer. The IRS generally mails a bill first. Source: IRS¹
3. Ignore threats. The IRS doesn't threaten to bring in police or immigration officers to arrest you for not paying, and it can't revoke your driver's license or immigration status. It also doesn't demand payment without letting you question or appeal the amount. Source: IRS¹
4. Know what the IRS doesn't send: emails without your permission, texts without your permission, or direct messages on social media. It also never calls to tell you about a refund. Source: IRS²
5. Check for yourself. Sign in to your IRS online account at IRS.gov to see any balance owed, payments, digital notices and refund status. Source: IRS³ Got a letter? Look up the notice number in the IRS's notices and letters search. Source: IRS²
6. If you really owe, pay only the "United States Treasury," using the options at IRS.gov/payments. Source: IRS¹
7. Lock down your tax identity. An Identity Protection PIN is a six-digit number, known only to you and the IRS, that stops someone else from filing a return with your SSN. You can request one in your online account even if you don't have to file. Under 18? You have to use an alternative enrollment option. Source: IRS⁴

Real IRS or scam?

From the IRS. Source: IRS¹

If they call

"I'll handle this through my IRS online account. Goodbye." Then write down the number, hang up and report it.

If it doesn't work

• Suspicious IRS call? Record the number, hang up, and report it to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) online or at 800-366-4484. Source: IRS² You can also report it to the FTC with "IRS Telephone Scam" in the notes. Source: IRS¹
• Fake IRS email? Don't reply, click or open attachments. Forward it as an attachment to [email protected] with the subject "IRS," then delete it. Source: IRS²
• Fake IRS text? Send the sender's number, the message, your number and the date, time and time zone to [email protected] with the subject "Text." You can also forward the text to 7726 (SPAM). Source: IRS²
• Already paid with a gift card? Contact the gift card company right away and keep the card and receipt. Source: FTC⁵ Gave out your SSN? See Recovering from identity theft.